GIFT  OF 


1 1 


The  Women  of  the  Iliad 


A  Metrical  Translation  of  the  First  Book 

and  of  the  Other  Passages  in 

•which  Women  Appear 


BY 


HUGH   WOODRUFF  TAYLOR 


BROADWAY   PUBLISHING  CO. 

835  Broadway,  New  York 

BRANCH  OFFICES:  WASHINGTON, 

INDIANAPOLIS.  NORFOLK. 


BALTIMORE 
DES  MOINES,  IOWA 


COPYRIGHT,  1912, 

BY 
BROADWAY  PUBLISHING  COMPANY. 


Through  all  the  din  of  war,  the  shout,  the  groan, 
Of  vanquisher  and  vanquished,  'round  beleagured  Troy, 
Through  all  the  wild  turmoil  of  men's  employ, 

In  every  pause,  is  heard  a  woman's  moan. 


PREFACE 

Homer  never  preaches,  and  yet  there  is  a 
moral  '[writ  large"  in  the  story  that  he  tells  us 
in  the  Iliad.  The  passionate  pride  of  Achilles, 
the  arrogance  of  Agamemnon,  the  rather  pusil- 
lanimous attitude  of  the  other  Achaean  princes, 
except  the  aged  Nestor,  during  and  for  quite 
awhile  after  the  quarrel  of  the  two,  soon  bring 
due  punishment  on  them. 

The  self-indulgence,  treachery  and  violation  of 
the  sacred  claims  of  hospitality  by  Paris — all  of 
which  Priam  and  the  Trojans  made  their  own 
when  they  refused  to  restore  Helen  to  her  right- 
ful husband — all  these  abuses  of  justice  were 
atoned  for  in  the  final  overthrow  of  Ilium's  higJ^ 
built  towers. 

The  Greeks  personified  the  just  distribution  of 
fortune  "nemesis,"  and  made  of  it  the  goddess  of 
retribution.  Nemesis,  whose  office  it  was  to  hum- 
ble inordinate  good  fortune  and  its  not  unusual 
attendants,  pride  and  haughtiness,  and  even  that 
which  they  named  "hubris,"  the  wanton  inso- 
lence that  is  not  afraid  to  over-ride  the  most 
sacred  rights  of  others.  Retribution,  then,  was 

7 


^50386 


Preface 

thought  of  by  the  Greeks  as  the  re-distribu\tion 
of  the  diverse  gifts  of  fortune. 

Priam,  Hector,  Paris,  Antenor,  are  the  Tro- 
jan men;  Agamemnon,  Menelaus,  Achilles,  Ulys- 
ses, Nestor,  are  the  Achaean  men;  and  Helen, 
Hecaba,  Andromache,  Leodice,  Cassandra,  The- 
ano,  Chryseis,  and  Briseis,  are  the  women.  Zeus, 
Apollo,  Hermes,  Hephaestus  are  the  gods  and 
Hera,  Athena,  Aphrodite,  Thetis  and  Iris  are 
goddesses  that  appear  in  these  translations.  The 
following  sketch  of  some  of  these  may  help 
the  reader  to  a  clearer  understanding  of  the 
story. 

The  selfish,  pleasure-loving  Paris  gave  Aphro- 
dite the  golden  apple,  the  prise  of  supreme 
beauty  that  Eris,  the  goddess  of  discord,  because 
she  had  not  been  invited  to  the  wedding  of  Pel- 
eus  and  Thetis  to  which  all  the  other  gods  had 
been  asked,  was  angered  and  threw  among  the 
guests  a  golden  apple  with  this  inscription,  {<For 
the  most  beautiful!'  Hera,  Aphrodite  and  Palas- 
Athena,  each  claimed  it  for  herself.  Zeus  pru- 
dently declined  to  act  as  umpire,  but  sent  them 
to  Priam's  son  Paris,  who  was  tending  his  flocks 
on  the  slopes  of  Mount  Ida.  So  thither  they 
went  and  each  one  offered  him  a  bribe.  Hera 
promised  power  and  wealth;  Athena,  glory  and 
renown  in  war;  and  Aphrodite,  the  fairest  of 
ivomen  to  be  his  wife,  whom  he  well  knew  wa\s 
8 


Preface 


the  wedded  wife  of  another  and  whom  he  could 
only  get  by  stealing  her  from  her  husband  by 
the  help  of  Aphrodite."jHelen  was  the  price,  the 
beautiful  and  lovable  Helen,  who  calls  herself 
bad  names  at  times,  and  her  mother-inflow  and 
sisters-in-law^  upbraid  her,  as  she  says,  "zvith  gib- 
ing insolence,"  there  is  no  record,  however,  of 
anyone  else  doing  so — such  wonder-workers  are 
beauty  and  winsomeness.  She  was  restored  to 
her  husband  finally  and  reinstated  in  her  former 
and  rightful  position,  not  only  in  her  home  but 
also  in  the  heart  of  her  husband. 

Priam,  the  king,  was  an  old  man  during  this 
war,  and  was  over-borne  by  bad  councilors  who 
had  been  bribed  by  the  stolen  wealth  of  Paris 
not  to  restore  Helen.  He  lived  to  see  his  city 
taken  and  ravaged,  and  was  slain  by  Achilles' 
son,  Pyrrhus.  Hecuba,  his  wife,  was  sitting  by 
his  side  at  the  time,  and  was  haled  azvay  to 
slavery  along  with  her  daughter  Laodice,  who 
was  married  to  Prince  Helicaon.  Cassandra  is 
a  pathetic  figure  in  later  mythology,  a  prophetess 
whose  predictions  no  one  would  believe.  Theanp 
was  a  sister  of  Hecuba  and  wife  of  Antenor. 
He  was  one  of  the  few  princes  that  advocated 
returning  Helen  to  her  husband,  Chriseis  and 
Briseis  are  patronymics,  their  ozvn  names  were 
Astynome  and  Hippodamia.  Helen,  after  the 
fall  of  Troy,  returned  to  Menelaus,  whom  she 

9 


Preface 


had  never  ceased  to  love,  even  while  under  the 
magic  power  of  Aphrodite  she  looked  upon 
herself  as  the  wife  of  Paris — the  feminine  mind 
is  not  always  logical. 

Hector  and  Andromache  are  the  two  noblest 
characters  in  the  Iliad,  either  among  Trojans 
or  Achaeans,  and  it  is  worthy  of  notice  that  a 
Greek  poet  should  have  allotted  such  distinction 
to  an  alien  race. 

An  unrhymed  six-beat  iambic-trochaic  blank 
verse  has  been  used  in  this  version.  It  seemed 
that  I  was  able  thereby  to  keep  my  rendering  al- 
most as  close  to  the  original  as  a  prose  transla- 
tion, and  at  the  same  -  time  rhythmical  and 
worthy. 

If  it  shall  prove  acceptable,  it  will  be  followed 
by  "The  Women  of  the  Odyssey" 

Stockton,  Calif.,  ipu. 


10 


The  Women  of  the  Iliad 


THE    QUARREL    OF   ACHILLES    AND 
AGAMEMNON. 

The  wrath  of  Peleus'  son,  Achilles,  goddess    sing, 

That  ruinous  wrought;  the  Achaeans  countless  griefs,  and 

sent 

Adown  to  Hades'  house  full  many  gallant  souls 
Of  heroes,  and  made  their  bodies  prey  for  dogs  and  all 
The  carrion-birds — yet  Zeus  was  accomplishing  his  will, 
That  very  time  when  first  in  quarrel  stood  aloof 
The  son  of  Atreus,  master  of  men,  and  noble  Achilles. 
Now,  which  of  the  gods  impelled  these  two  to  quarrel? 

The  son 

Of  Zeus  and  Leto.    Incensed  against  the  king,  he  brought 
An  evil  sickness  upon  the  host,  whereof  the  folk 
Were  perishing,  because  of  Chryses,  his  priest,  disdained 
By  Atreus'  son.    To  the  swift-sailing  ships  of  Achaeans 

he  came 

To  free  his  daughter,  bringing  a  ransom  of  untold  wealth, 
And  bearing  in  his  hands  upon  a  gold-enstudded  staff 
Bolt-speeder  Apollo's  fillet.     All  the  Achaeans  he  begged, 
But  most  the  sons  of  Atreus  twain,  the  marshals  of  the 

folk: 
"Ye  sons  of  Atreus,  and  ye  comely-greaved  Achaeans 

all, 
May  the  gods,  that  hold  the  Olympian  mansions,  grant  you 

to  seize 
And  sack  the  city  of  Priam,  then  safely  voyage  home: 

II 


Cfie  momtn  of  tlje  liiatJ 


Release  me,  though,  my  own  dear  child  and  this  ransom 

take, 

Revering  so  the  son  of  Zeus,  bolt-speeder  Apollo." 
Then  all  the  other  Achaeans  at  once  acclaimed  assent, 
To  reverence  the  priest  and  the  splendrous  ransom  take; 
Yet  this  pleased  not  the  heart  of  Atrides- Agamemnon, 
But  he  roughly  drave  him  off,  and  laid  on  him  a  harsh 

command : 

'Thou  must  not  let  me  find  thee  near  the  hollow  ships, 
Old  man,  or  lingering  now,  or  later  coming  back; 
Lest  thou  obtain  no  help  from  the  staff  and  fillet  of  the 

god. 

But  her  I'll  not  release,  e'en  when  old-age  shall  come 
To  her,  in  our  house,  in  Argos,  far  from  her  natal  land — 
There  busied  with  the  loom,  and  sharing,  too,  my  bed. 
But  go,  provoke  me  not,  that  safer  thou  mayest  fare." 
So  spake;  the  old  man  was  seized  with  fear  and  heeded 

the  command, 

And  silent  went  by  the  shore  of  the  ever-surging  sea. 
But  when  he'd  gone  afar,  the  old  man  prayed  aloud 
To  sovereign  Apollo,  whom  beauteous-haired  Latona  bore : 
"Give  ear  to  me  and  heed,  thou  bearer  of  the  silvern  bow ; 
That  wardest  Chrysa  'round  and  sacred  Cilia,  and  rul'st 
Puissant  over  Tenedos  isle,  O  Smitheus ! 
If  ever  I  reared  and  roofed  a  temple  acceptable  to  thee, 
Or  burned  for  thee  fat  slices  cut  from  the  thighs  of  bulls 
And  goats,  fulfill  for  me  this  yearning  wish  of  mine; 
That  by  thy  missiles  the  Danaans  may  atone  my  tears." 
So  spake  he  in  his  prayer,  and  radiant  Apollo  heard, 
And  down  from  the  heights  of  Olympus  came  he,  wroth 

at  heart, 
With  bow  upon  his  shoulders  borne   and   close-covered 

quiver. 

The  arrows  clanked  upon  his  shoulders  as  on  he  moved 
In  wrathful  haste;  like  night  he  came.     Aloof  from  the 

ships 

He  sat;  then  sent  an  arrow  forth;  and  dreadful  came 
The  clangor  gendered  of  the  silvern  bow.     At  first  he 

struck 

12 


of 


The  mules  and  nimble- footed  dogs;  thereafter  sped 
A  poignant  missile  against  the  men  themselves  and  smote 
Them.    Ever  were  in  blaze  the  crowded  pyres  of  the  dead. 
Nine  days  the  shafts  of  the  god  were  ranging  throughout 

the  camp ; 
On  the  tenth  day,  though,  Achilles  a  summoning  had  of 

the  folk — 

The  white-armed  goddess,  Hera,  put  this  into  his  mind; 
For  she  was  grieved  to  see  the  Danaans  dying  off. 
Now  when  they  all  were  come  together  and  had  convened, 
Among  them  arose  swift-footed  Achilles  and  said : 
"Atrides,  me  seemeth  now  that  we  must  journey  home 
Repulsed,  that  haply  death  we  may  escape,  if  war 
And  pestilence  together  shall  surely  whelm  the  Achaeans. 
But  come,  and  let  us  now  consult  some  seer  or  priest, 
Or    even    a    dreamer    of    dreams — for    the    dream,    too, 

cometh  from  Zeus — 

That  he  may  tell  why  radiant  Apollo  is  so  incensed; 
If  it  be  for  some  defaulted  vow  or  hecatomb 
He  blameth,  mayhap  the  savory  smoke  of  spotless  goats 
And  lambs  would  he  accept,  and  ward  this  pestilence  off.'* 
So  spake  he  and  sat  him  down.     Among  them  then  arose 
Calchas,  son  of  Thestor,  chiefest  dreamer  of  dreams  by 

far, 

Who  knew  the  things  that  are,  and  are  to  be,  and  were; 
And  through  to  Ilium  he  had  led  the  Achaean  ships 
By  his  soothsaying  skill,  that  radiant  Apollo  gave  to  him. 
He  wise  and  well-disposed  addressed  the  council  and  said : 
"Achilles,  Zeus-beloved,  me  dost  thou  summon  now 
To  tell  the  cause  of  bolt-speeding  king  Apollo's  wrath ; 
And  therefore  will  I  speak;  but  give  good  heed  and  swear 
That  thou  with  forward  mind  wilt  shield  by  word  and 

hand  ; 

For  I  know  that  I  shall  anger  one  that  ruleth  all 
The  Argives  mightily,  whom  the  Achaeans,  too,  obey. 
For  a  king  hath  power  far  ^beyond,  if  he  be  wroth 
With  one  that  is  a  subject;  though  he  digest  his  gall 
For  the  day,  still  holdeth  he  spite  in  his  heart,  until  at  last 

13 


of  tije 


It  hath  been  sated.     Think,  now,  if  thou  wilt  keep  me 

safe:" 

And  then  in  answer  to  him  swift-footed  Achilles  spake: 
"Be   wholly    fearless    and    speak    whatever    oracle    thou 

know'st  ; 

For  by  Apollo,  Zeus-beloved,  through  prayer  to  whom 
Thou,  Calchas,  makest  known  to  the  Danaans  signs  from 

the  god, 

Shall  no  man,  while  I  live  and  see  the  light  of  day, 
Lay  heavy  hand  on  thee  beside  the  hollow  ships, 
Of  all  the  Danaans,  e'en  though  Agamemnon's  self 
Thou  name,   that   claimeth   now  to  be   the   foremost  of 

Achaeans." 

So  forthwith,  then,  the  noble  seer  unfearing  spake: 
"For  no  defaulted  vow  he  blameth  nor  hecatomb, 
But  it  is  because  of  his  priest  disdained  by  Agamemnon, 
In  that  he  would  not  restore  his  daughter  nor  the  ransom 

receive. 

For  this,  Bolt-speeder  sent  these  griefs  and  still  will  send; 
And  never  at  all  will  the  god  from  the  Danaans  take  away 
This  loathsome  pestilence,  until  hath  been  restored 
To  her  father  dear  the  damsel  with  the  lustrous  eyes, 

unbought, 

Unransomed,  and  a  sacred  hecatomb  unto  Chrysa  borne; 
Apollo  haply  then  we  may  propitiate  and  win." 
So  spake  he  and  sat  him  down.    Among  them  then  arose 
The  hero,  the  son  of  Atreus,  far-ruling  Agamemnon, 
In  pain  of  heart,  his  midriff  swollen  black  with  rage, 
The  while  the  eyes  of  him  blazed  like  fire.    To  Calchas 

first 

With  evil,  threatening  look  he  spake :   "Thou  seer  of  ills, 
Thou'st  never  spoken  for  me  aught  good:  'T  hath  always 

been 

Thy  heart's  delight  to  augur  mischiefs;  at  no  time  yet 
Hast  thou  foretold  or  brought  to  pass  a  thing  worth  while. 
And    now    with    thy    soothsayings    the    Danaans    thou 

harangu'st, 
How  Bold-speeder  bringeth  on  them  these  griefs  because, 

forsooth, 

14 


Cfte  ftSomett  of  tfte  Sliao 


I  would  not  receive  the  splendrous  ransom  for  Chryses' 

child; 

Since  much  do  I  desire  to  have  her  home  with  me, 
Preferring  far,  indeed,  her  to  Clytemnestra, 
My  wedded  wife,  to  whom  in  naught  inferior  is  she, 
In  stature,  form,  or  mind,  and  least  of  all  in  skill. 
Though  this  be  true,  I  wish  to  restore  her,  if  so  be  best — 
Far  rather  choosing  safety  for  the   folk  than  doom  of 

death. 

But  a  prize  provide  for  me  straightway,  lest  I  of  all 
The  Argives  be  the  prizeless  one — this  were  unmeet — 
Ye  all  see  plainly  how  my  prize  is  going  hence." 
Thereupon    made    answer    to    him    swift-footed,    noble 

Achilles : 

"Exalted  Atrides,  of  all  men  greediest  thou  of  gain; 
For  how  shall  the  high-hearted  Achaeans  bestow  a  prize 

on  thee  ? 

We  know  not  anywhere  of  a  common  store  laid  by, 
Since   the   plunder   of   cities   sacked   hath    been    already 

shared, 

And  it  were  unmeet  that  the  folk  collect  and  bring  it  back. 
But  yield  her  now  to  the  god,  and  we  Achaeans  then 
Will  threefold,  fourfold,  pay  thee  back,  whenever  Zeus 
Shall    give    some    strong-walled    city    of    Troas    to    be 

despoiled." 

To  him  in  answer  spake  then  sovereign  Agamemnon : 
"Think    not,    though    very    shrewd    thou    art,    godlike 

Achilles, 

To  gain  by  craft;  thou  shalt  not  foil  me,  nor  persuade. 
Dost  wish,  the  while  thou  hast  a  prize,  that  I  meantime 
Shall  sit  thus  lacking  one,  when  so  thou  urgest  me 
To  give  her  back?     But  if  the  stout-hearted  Achaeans 

bestow 

A  prize  quite  suited  to  my  mind,  to  be  of  equal  worth — 
Though  should  they  not,  then  I  myself  will  go  and  seize 
A  prize — from  thee,  mayhap,  or  Ajax,  or  else  Ulysses — 
He  surely  will  be  sorely  vexed  to  whom  I  come. 
This  matter,  though,  will  we  determine  by  and  by. 

15 


Cfje  ftSJomen  of  tfje 


But  come,  let  us  draw  a  black  ship  down  to  the  bound- 
less sea, 

And  gather  oarsmen  fit  and  ample,  and  put  therein 
A  hecatomb,  and  place  on  board  Chryses'  fair-cheeked 

child, 

And  let  some  council-bearing  man  be  captain  thereof, 
As  either  Idomeneus,  or  Ajax,  or  brilliant  Ulysses — 
Or  even  thou  thyself,  Pelides,  terriblest  of  men — 
That  thou  for  us  with  sacrifices  Far-smiter  may  appease." 
With    glowering    look    at   him   then    spake    swift-footed 

Achilles : 
"Oh,   faugh,   enwrapped  in   shamelessness,   thou   greedy 

cheat : 

How  now  shall  any  Achaeans  yield  to  thy  commands 
With  zeal,  to  go  on  a  raid,  or  stoutly  fight  with  men? 
I  surely  came  not  hither  upon  mine  own  account 
To  battle  with  Trojan  spearmen;  they  never  did  me  harm; 
No  cows  of  mine  nor  horses  ever  drave  they  off, 
Nor  ever  in  deep-loamed  Phthia,  generous  feeder  of  men, 
Have  laid  an  harvest  waste,  for  in  truth  there  are  between 
Full  many  shadowing  mountains  and  the  tumultuous  sea. 
In  thy  behalf,  most  shameless  one,  we  followed  here, 
To  gladden  thee  by  wresting  amends  for  Menelaus — 
For  thee,  too,  dog-eyes — from  the  Trojans.    These  things, 

nevertheless, 

Thou  heedest  not  nor  carest  for ;  and  so  my  prize, 
For  which  I  painfully  toiled,  and  the  sons  of  Achaeans 

gave, 
Thou  threat'nest  now  to  snatch  away  from  me  for  thine 

own. 

But  I,  indeed,  have  never  a  prize  like  thine,  whene'er 
Some  well-peopled  city  of  Trojans,  the  Achaeans  have 

taken  and  sacked; 
But  the  main  of  furious  fighting  these  hands  of  mine  have 

done: 

Yet  when  division  cometh  thy  prize  exceedeth  far, 
While  I  return  to  the  ships  with  a  meagre  one  for  mine, 
Worn  out  with  warring.    But  now  I  go  to  Phthia,  home — 

16 


C&e  domett  of  tfie  Sliatt 


Far  better  so — with  my  curve-beaked  ships.     I  have  no 

mind, 
Dishonored  here,   to   draw   forth  goods   and  wealth   for 

thee." 

To  him  in  answer  spake  then  master  of  men,  Agamemnon : 
"Flee,  surely,  if  so  thy  spirit  urgeth !    Nowise  do  I 
Beseech  thy  stay  on  mine  account;  others  there  are 
To  do  me  honor,  and  chiefest,  counsel-giver  Zeus. 
Far  hatefulest  to  me  art  thou  of  Zeus-fostered  kings; 
For  always  quarrels  are  dear  to  thee,  and  wars,  and  broils. 
Though  hugely  strong  thou  art,  some  god  hath  given  thee 

that. 
Go  home,  then,  take  those  ships  of  thine,  thy  liegemen, 

too, 

And  lord  it  o'er  thy  Myrmidons !    I  mind  thee  not, 
Nor  heed  thine  ire.     But  now  to  thee  will  I  use  threats. 
Since  radiant  Apollo  taketh  Chryseis  away  from  me, 
Then  her  will  I  send  back  with  my  ship  and  liegeman; 

but  I 

Myself,  mayhap,  shall  go  to  thy  cabin  and  fetch  that  prize 
Of  thine,   the   fair-cheeked   child   of   Briseus,   that  thou 

may'st  know 
How  mightier  than  thou  am  I;  that  another  henceforth 

may  dread 

To  deem  himself  mine  equal,  and  rival  me  face  to  face." 
So  spake  he ;  anguish  seized  Pelides  then,  and  his  mind 
Within  his  hairy  breast  debated  to  and  fro, 
That  he  should  either  draw  his  sharp-edged  sword  from 

his  thigh, 

Disperse  those  there,  and  forthwith  do  Atrides  to  death; 
Or  rather  refrain  his  rage  and  hold  his  soul  in  check. 
Now  while  these  things  he  studied  deep  down  in  mind 

and  heart, 
And  out  from  its  scabbard  was  drawing  the  ponderous 

sword,  there  came 
From  heaven  Athena,  by  the  white-armed  goddess  Hera 

sent, 
Whose  heart  was  fraught  with  equal  love  and  care  for 

both. 

17 


€l)e  anomen  of  tfje 


She  stood  behind  and  by  his  golden  hair  she  seized 
Pelides,  disclosed  to  him  alone — none  other  saw — 
Achilles  was  astonished,  and  turned  and  straightway  then 

he  knew 
Pallas-Athena;  and  terrible  to  him  was  the  gleam  of  her 

eyes. 
Then  voicing  swift-winged  words,  he  spake  them  forth  to 

her: 

"Now  wherefore,  child  of  aegis-bearing,  Zeus,  hast  come? 
To  witness  the  arrogance  of  Agamemnon,  Atreus'  son  ? 
Yet  plainly  will  I  tell  thee  what  I  deem  shall  hap; 
His  wonted  spite  shall  quickly  forfeit  him  his  life." 
To  him  forthwith  the  grey-eyed  goddess  Athena  spake: 
'I've  come  from  heaven  to  stay  thy  rage,  if  thou  wilt 

heed; 
For    the    white-armed    goddess    Hera    sent    me    hither, 

because 

Her  heart  is  fraught  with  equal  love  and  care  for  both. 
But  come  now,  curb  thy  passion  and  do  not  let  thy  hand 
Draw   sword;   unbraid  him,   though,   in  words,  as  shall 

befall. 

For  I  will  tell  thee  now  that  which  in  truth  shall  be 
Hereafter  brought  to  pass.    Indeed,  shall  splendrous  gifts, 
Threefold,  be  offered  thee  to  expiate  this  spite  of  him; 
So  then  refrain  thee,  and  be  obedient  unto  us." 
And  then  in  answer  to  her  swift- footed  Achilles  said : 
"  'T  is  needful,  Goddess,  ever  to  heed  the  word  of  you 

twain, 

Though  one  be  greatly  wroth  at  heart — 'tis  better  so — 
Whoever  obeyeth  the  gods,  to  him  they  surely  list." 
He  said;  on  the  silver-studded  hilt  his  heavy  hand 
He  stayed,  then  into  the  scabbard  back  again  he  thrust 
The  ponderous  sword,  nor  disobeyed  Athena's  word. 
But  unto  Olympus  she  already  was  gone,  to  the  home 
Of  aegis-bearer  Zeus,  amid  the  other  gods. 
Achilles  then  addressed  once  more  with  baneful  words 
The  son  of  Atreus,  and  nowise  ceased  he  from  his  bitter 

wrath ; 

18 


momtn  of  tfje  UliaD 


"Thou  sodden  with  wine,  with  eyes  of  dog  and  heart  of 

deer, 

That,  craven,  darest  neither  buckle  on  cuirass 
With  the  folk  for  war,  nor  go  with  chosen  Achaean  chiefs 
On  ambuscades;  for  such  seem  doom  of  death  to  thee. 
It  liketh   thee   better   to   reave   throughout   the   spacious 

camp 

Of  Achaeans  their  prizes,  whosoever  gainsay  thee. 
O    folk-devouring    king !    since    good-for-naughts    thou 

rul'st; 

If  't  were  not  so,  Atrides,  this  were  thy  last  despite. 
But  plainly  will  I  speak  to  thee,  and  therewith  swear 
An  oath  of  might ;  yea,  by  this  staff  that  never  again 
Shall  put  forth  leaves  and  twigs,  since  first  it  left  its  stem 
On  the  mountains,  nor  ever  shall  it  bourgeon  more ;  for  all 
Around  the  brazen  axe  hath  stripped  away  both  leaves 
And  bark;  but  the  sons  of  Achaeans  bear  it  now  in  their 

hands, 

The  lawgivers,  they  that  have  in  care  decrees  of  Zeus — 
So  this  shall  be  to  thee,  indeed,  an  oath  of  might — 
Hereafter  shall  surely  come  to  all  the  sons  of  Achaeans 
Sore  longing  for  Achilles ;  thou,  too,  greatly  plagued  with 

grief, 

Shalt  have  no  power  in  the  least  to  help,  when  many  fall 
In  death  before  man-slaying  Hector;   whilst  thou  shalt 

rend 

Thy  very  heart,  infuriate,  because  thou  hast 
In  no  wise  given  honor  due  the  foremost  of  Achaeans." 
So  spake  Pelides ;  dashed  he  then  upon  the  ground 
The  staff  pierced  through  with  golden  nails,  and  sat  him 

down. 

Atrides  fronting  him  was  fuming  still.     At  once 
Rose  Nestor  of  tuneful  speech,  the  winsome  pleader  of 

Pylos; 
And  sweeter  far  than  honey  the  voice  of  him  flowed  from 

his  tongue. 

Two  generations  now  of  mortal  men  had  come 
And  gone,  that  were  before  in  sacred  Pylos  born 

19 


Cfte  tSJomen  of  tfce 


And  reared  with  him,  and  over  the  third  he  now  was 

.  king. 

He  wise  and  well-disposed  addressed  the  council  and  said : 
"Alas,  upon  the  Achaean  land  a  heavy  grief 
Hath  surely  come;  King  Priam  now  may  well  rejoice, 
And   Priam's   sons,    and   the   other   Trojans   be  glad   at 

heart, 

To  hear  the  tale  of  all  this  quarrel  betwixt  you  two, 
That  are  of  Danaans  ablest  in  counsel,  ablest  in  war. 
Be  guided  now  by  me — ye  both  are  younger  than  I — 
For  I  in  times  long  gone  with  better  men  than  you 
Have  mingled  freely,  nor  ever  met  from  them  rebuff. 
I  never  since  have  seen  such  men,  nor  hope  to  see. 
There  were  Pirithous  and  Druas,  shepherds  of  the  folk, 
Exadius,  Caeneus,  and  Polyphemus,  the  peer  of  the  gods, 
And  Theseus,  son  of  Aegalis,  alike  the  Deathless  Ones. 
Of  earth-born  men  these  mightiest  waxed  indeed: 
Yea,  mightiest  were  they  truly  and  with  the  mightiest 

fought, 
With     mountain    monsters     even,     whom    they    utterly 

destroyed. 

I  say,  with  these  I  mingled  freely,  though  far  I  came, 
From  Pylos,  a  distant  land — themselves  had  summoned 

me — 

And  I  held  my  own  in  battle.    No  one  of  those  that  are 
Earth-dwelling  mortals  to-day  might  at  all  contend  with 

them. 
My  counsels  truly  they  heeded,  too,  and  yielded  to  my 

word. 
Now  likewise  yield  ye,  since  yielding  is  better.    So  do  not 

thou, 

Although  supreme  thy  power,  seize  the  damsel  from  him, 
But  leave  her  to  him;  for  the  sons  of  Achaens  gave  him 

this  prize 
At  the  first;  nor  thou,  Pelides,  be  willing  to  quarrel  with 

the  king 

And  fight;  an  equal  honor  hath  no  sceptered  king 
Attained — by  Zeus  hath  been  bestowed  this  dignity  on 

him. 

20 


Cftc  COomen  of  tlje  2ItaD 


Though   strong  thou  art,   exceeding,   of   goddess-mother 

born, 

Yet  more  exalted  he,  for  he  ruleth  many  more. 
Atrides,  cease  thy  grudge ;  again  I  beg  of  thee, 
Dismiss  thine  anger  towards  Achilles;  for  he  hath  been 
To  all  Achaeans  a  mighty  bulwark  against  dread  war." 
To  him  then  in  answer  sovereign  Agamemnon  spake  : 
"Yea,  all  these  things,  old  man,  thou'st  so  far  rightly  said; 
But  this  man  wisheth  to  be  above  all  other  men; 
He  wisheth  to  be  the  master  of  all,  to  king  it  over  all; 
To  dominate  all — but  one  I  deem  will  not  obey. 
Although  the  eternal  gods  have  made  a  spearman  of  him, 
Do  they  impel  him  therefore  to  voice  such  insolence?" 
But  breaking  in  on  him  then,  noble  Achilles  replied: 
"Yea  surely,  coward  and  nithing  I  should  thereafter  be 

judged, 

If  I  would  yield  in  everything  to  thy  behests. 
Lay  thy  commands  on  others  now,  since  me  thou  shalt 
Not  dominate;  for  I  deem  that  thee  Til  not  at  all  obey. 
But  this  I  tell  thee,  and  do  thou  lay  it  well  to  heart; 
I  shall  in  no  wise  fight  in  arms  on  the  damsel's  account, 
With  neither  thee  nor  others,  that  give  and  take  away. 
But  all  things  else  of  mine  beside  the  swift,  black  ships, 
Thou  shalt  not  take  and  bear  away  against  my  will. 
But   if  thou  wish,   make  trial,  that  all  these  here   may 

know; 
Straightway   thy   blood   shall   gush   all    dark   about   my 

spear." 
Now  when  these  two  had  ended  the  battle  of  passionate 

words, 
They  arose  and  ended  the  council  beside  the  Achaean 

ships. 
Pelides    went    to    his    cabins    and    well-trimmed    ships 

forthwith, 
Along  with   Menoetius'   son  and  his   liegeman;   Atrides, 

though, 

At  once  drew  down  a  swift-sailing  ship  to  the  salty  sea, 
Selected  twenty  oarsmen,  brought  a  hecatomb 

21 


Ctjc  QRomen  of  tlje 


For  the  god,  then  led  and  placed  on  board  Chryses'  fair- 
cheeked  child. 

Deviceful  Ulysses  went  along  as  captain  thereof. 
So  these  embarked  and  journeyed  over  the  watery  ways. 
Atrides  bade  the  folk  thereafter  cleanse  themselves. 
They  cleansed  themselves  and  cast  the  uncleanness  into 

the  sea. 

Sufficing  hecatombs  they  sacrificed  of  bulls 
And  goats  to  Apollo  along  the  shore  of  the  restless  sea ; 
The  savor  rose  to  heaven,  swirling  about  in  the  smoke. 
In  this  way  were  they  busied  then  about  the  camp; 
But  Agamemnon  had  nowise  laid  aside  the  strife 
Wherein  he  first  against  Achilles  uttered  threats. 
So  thereupon  Talthybius  and  Eurybates  he  bespake, 
That  were  his  heralds  twain  and  ever-zealous  squires: 
"Go  ye  forthwith  to  the  cabin  of  Peleus'  son,  Achilles, 
And  take  by  the  hand  fair-cheeked  Briseis  and  bring  her 

here. 

If  though  he  will  not  yield  her,  I  myself  with  more 
Shall  come  and  fetch  her;  this  will  be  far  worse  for  him." 
So  spake  he  and  sent  them,  and  laid  on  them  a  stern 

command. 

Reluctant  they  went  along  the  shore  of  the  restless  sea, 
Until  they  came  to  the  Myrmidonian  cabins  and  ships. 
They  found  him  seated  near-by  his  cabin  and  black-hued 

ship — 

And  truly  the  seeing  them  nowise  gladdened  him. 
But  neither  did  they  tell  Kim  aught  nor  question  him. 
But  yet  he  knew  in  his  heart  and  called  aloud  to  them: 
"All  hail,  ye  heralds,  ye  messengers  of  Zeus  and  men, 
Come  nearer;  I  hold  not  you,  but  Agamemnon  in  fault, 
The  one  that  sent  you  hither  about  the  damsel  Briseis. 
Go,   Zeus-descended   Patroclus,   bring   forth    the    damsel 

and  give 

To  them  to  lead  away.    These  twain  themselves  shall  be 
My  witnesses  surely  before  the  face  of  the  blessed  gods, 
Of  mortal  men,  and  also  of  this  churlish  king; 
Whenever  need  of  me  shall  after  come  to  ward 
Those  others  from  shameful  ruin.    This  man  surely  raves 

22 


Mlomen  of  tfte  3lia& 


With  a  baleful  mind,  nor  doth  he  know  to  look  before 
And  after,  that  his  Achaeans  may  safely  battle  beside 
Their  ships/'  So  spake  he;  Patroclus  obeyed  his  comrade 

then, 
And  forth  from  the  cabin  he  brought  fair-cheeked  Briseis 

and  gave 

To  them  to  lead  away.    So  went  they  back  again 
Along  by  the  Achaean  ships,  and  with  them  the  woman 

went 

Quite  loath.   Straightway  Achilles  weeping  seated  himself 
Aloof  from  his  comrades  upon  the  margent  of  the  dim- 
grey  sea, 
And  gazed  out  over  the  wine-dark  deep;  then  stretching 

forth 

His  hands,  he  called  upon  his  mother  in  urgent  prayer: 
"O  mother,  seeing  that  thou  hast  borne  me  to  a  life  so 

brief, 

The  Olympian  ought  some  signal  glory  to  have  bestowed, 
Yea,  Zeus  that  thundereth  on  high;  yet  hath  he  honored 

me 

Not  the  least.    Atreides,  though,  wide-ruling  Agamemnon, 
Hath   done   me   dishonor,   wresting   away  my   prize    for 

himself." 

So  spake  he  weeping;  and  him  his  reverend  mother  heard, 
As  she  sat  beside  her  aged  sire  in  the  deep  of  the  sea. 
Forthwith  from  the  dim-grey  sea  she  arose,  as  'twere  a 

mist, 

And  seated  herself  straightway  before  him  shedding  tears, 
And  stroked  him  with  her  hands,  and  spake  to  him  and 

called  him  by  name: 
"My  child,  why  wailest  thou  ?    What  grief  hath  seized  thy 

soul? 
Speak  out,  hide  naught  in  thy  mind,  that  so  we  both  may 

know." 
Then  sobbing  heavily  swift-footed  Achilles  made  answer 

to  her: 

"Thou  knowest,   then  why  to  thee  aware  should  I  re- 
hearse 
All  this?     To  Thebe,  Eetion's  sacred  city,  we  marched, 

23 


SSJomen  of  t&e  Uliao 


And  we  ravaged  it,  and  everything  we  fetched  away, 
And  the  sons  of  Achaeans  made  a  just  division  of  all, 
And   for   Atreides  they   set  apart  Chryses'   fair-cheeked 

child. 

Thereafter  Chryses,  though,  bolt-speeding  Apollo's  priest, 
To     the     swift-sailing     ships     of     the     bronze-cuirassed 

.Achaeans  came 

To  free  his  daughter,  bringing  a  ransom  of  untold  wealth, 
And  bearing  in  his  hands  upon  a  gold-enstudded  staff 
Bolt-speeder  Apollo's  fillet.    All  the  Achaeans  he  begged, 
But  most  the  sons  of  Atreus  twain,  the  marshals  of  the 

folk. 

Then  all  the  other  Achaeans  at  once  acclaimed  assent, 
To  reverence  the  priest  and  the  splendrous  ransom  take; 
Yet  this  pleased  not  the  heart  of  Atreides — Agamemnon, 
But  he  roughly  drave  him  off,  and  laid  on  him  a  harsh 

command. 

The  old  man  went  away  incensed ;  and  Apollo  heard 
His  prayers,  seeing  he  was  so  greatly  beloved  of  the  god, 
Who  then  against  the  Argives  a  baneful  missile  sent. 
And  now  the  folk  kept  dying,  throngs  on  throngs,  while 

the  shafts 
Of  the  god  were  ranging  through  the  Achaeans'  spacious 

camp 

From  end  to  end.    The  well-skilled  seer  then  declared 
To  us  in  council  Bolt-speeder's  oracle.    First  of  all 
I  straightway  urged  to  pacify  the  god;  thereat 
A  bitter  rage  laid  hold  of  Atreides;  he  quickly  arose 
And    uttered    a    threat,    which    now    indeed    hath    been 

fulfilled. 
So  her  the  bright-eyed  Achaeans  are  sending  to  Chrysa 

now 
In   a    swift-sailing  ship,   and  are   carrying  gifs    for   the 

Archer  king; 

The  other  the  heralds  went  to  my  cabin  this  day  and  took, 
The  child  of  Briseus,  that  the  sons  of  Achaeans  gave  to 

me. 

But  thou,  since  thou  art  fully  able,  protect  thy  son; 
To  Olympus  go  and  Zeus  entreat  by  any  word 

24 


fcOomen  of  tfje  3Jiiao 


Or  deed  wherewith  thou'st  ever  gladdened  the  heart  of 

Zeus. 

For  often  have  I  in  my  father's  halls  heard  thee  avow 
And  tell  that  thou  alone  among  the  Deathless  Ones 
From   shameful   wreck   didst   cloud-enshrouded    Cronion 

save, 

That  very  time  the  other  Olympians  eagerly  sought 
To  bind  him  fast,  both  Hera  and  Poseidon  and  Pallas- 
Athena. 
But  thou  didst  come  there,  Goddess,  and  set  him  free  from 

bonds, 

By  quickly  calling  the  hundred-handed  one  to  high 
Olympus — him  the  gods  Briareus  name,  but  men 
Aegaeon  call — he  far  surpasseth  his  father  in  strength. 
So  then  he  sat  by  Cronion's  side,  exultant  in  might; 
And  the  blessed  gods  afraid  of  him,  forebore  to  bind. 
Remind  him  now  of  all  this  matter,  near  him  sit 
And  clasp  his  knees;  if  so  by  any  means  he  will 
Assist  the  Trojans,  and  hem  the  Achaeans  close  about 
The  sterns  of  their  ships  along  the  seashore,  doomed  to 

be  slain; 
That  all  may  have  real  proof  of  their  king ;  that  Atreides, 

too, 

Wide-ruling  Agamemnon,  may  surely  come  to  know 
His  frenzy  in  nowise  honoring  the  chiefest  of  Achaean 

men." 

Then  Thetis,  letting  many  a  tear  fall,  answered  him : 
"Ah  me,  my  child,  now  wherefore,  a  wretched  mother, 

have  I  borne 

And  nurtured  thee !    Oh  would  that  thou  beside  the  ships 
Wert   sitting  tearless   and   scathless,    since   thy   destined 

time 

Is  nowise  long,  but  very  brief;  thou  hast  become 
At  once  short-lived  and  piteous  now  beyond  all  men; 
So  thee  to  an  evil  doom  I  bore  within  our  halls. 
To  snow-crowned  Olympus  surely  I'll  go  and  tell  this 

word 

Of  thine  to  thunder-hurler  Zeus,  if  he  will  heed. 
But  keep  thyself  beside  thy  swift-sailing  ships,  still  wroth 

25 


Cfte  ftOomett  of  tfie 


Against  the  Achaeans,  and  altogether  refrain  from  war; 
For  Zeus  but  yesterday  went  to  Ocean-stream  for  a  feast 
With  the  noble  Aethiops ;  all  of  the  gods,  too,  follow  him. 
Upon  the  twelfth  day,  though,  to  Olympus  cometh  he 

back, 
And  then  I'll  surely  go  to  the  bronze-floored  palace  of 

Zeus, 
And    clasping  his   knees,   entreat  him;   I    trust   I    shall 

prevail." 

Now  when  she  so  had  spoken,  she  went  her  way,  but  left 
Him  there  incensed  at  heart  for  the  fair-girdled  woman's 

sake, 

That  they  had  taken  by  force  against  his  will.  But  now 
Meanwhile  Ulysses,  bringing  the  sacred  hecatomb  had 

come 

To  Chrysa.  So  when  within  the  haven  deep  they  came, 
They  took  in  the  sails,  bestowed  them  within  the  dark- 

hued  ship, 
Unstepped  the  mast,  by  the  forestays  lowered  it  into  the 

crutch 
With  speed,  and  unto  the  landing  place  then  drave  her 

with  oars. 
Then  cast  they  forth  the  mooring-stones,  the  stern-lines 

made  fast, 
And  all  the  men  went  out  on  the  surf-washed  beach  of  the 

sea, 
And  then  for  bolt-speeder  Apollo  the  hecatomb  they  put 

ashore. 

And  after  went  Chryses'  child  from  the  sea-sailing  ship. 
Deviceful  Ulysses  led  her  then  to  the  altar-mound, 
And  into  her  father's  hands  he  gave  her,  and  said  to  him : 
"O  Chryses,  Agamemnon,  master  of  men,  hath  sent  me  to 

bring 

Thy  child  to  thee,  and  to  offer  a  sacred  hecatomb 
To  the  Radiant  One  on  the  Danaans'  behalf,  to  appease 

the  King, 
That   now   hath   brought   upon   the   Argives   lamentable 

woes." 

26 


Cf)e  OUcmen  of  tf>e 


So  saying,  he  gave  her  into  his  hands,  and  the  father  with 

Received  his  darling  child.     The  noble  hecatomb  for  the 

god 

At  once  about  his  well-builded  altar  they  duly  ranged; 
Thereafter  washed  their  hands  and  took  the  barley-meal. 
Then  Chryses  prayed  aloud  for  them  with  hands  uplift: 
"Give  ear  to  me  and  heed,  thou  bearer  of  the  silvern  bow, 
That  wardest  Chrysa  'round  and  sacred  Cilia,  and  rul'st 
Puissant  over  Tenedos  isle !    As  heretofore 
Thou  gavest  heed  to  my  prayers  and  highly  honored  me, 
And  brought  a  punishment  sore  upon  the  Achaean  folk.; 
So  again  and  now  fulfill  for  me  this  yearning  wish : 
That    thou    ward    off    from    the    Danaans    loathsome 

pestilence." 

So  spake  he  in  his  prayer,  and  radiant  Apollo  heard. 
Now  when  they  had  made  their  prayers  and  sprinkled  the 

barley-meal, 
They  first  raised  up  the  victims'  heads,  then  slaughtered 

and  flayed, 
And  portions  then  from  the  thighs  they  cut  and  wrapped 

in  fat 

In  double  fold,  and  other  pieces  laid  o'er  all. 
And  these  the  old  man  burned  upon  the  cloven  wood, 
And  poured  thereon  libations  of  ruddy  wine;  the  youths 
At  his  side  were  handling  the  while  the  five-tined  forks. 

When  the  thighs 

Were  all  consumed  and  the  vitals  tasted,  the  rest  they  cut 
In  smaller  portions  and  pierced  them  through  with  spits, 

and  these 

They  roasted  then  with  utmost  care,  and  drew  them  off. 
Now  when  they  had  ceased  their  toil,  then  made  they 

ready  the  feast 

And  portioned  to  all,  that  no  heart  lacked  its  proper  share. 
So  when  they  had  appeased  all  craving  for  food  and  drink, 
The  youths  with  wine  and  water  brimmed  the  mixing- 
bowls, 

And  they  filled  for  each  one,  after  due  libation  poured. 
And  all  day  long  the  Achaean  youths  with  choral  hymn 

27 


ftSJomen  of  tDe 


And  dance  appeased  the  god,  and  the  lovely  paean  sang 
To  the  Far-smiter  Apollo,  and  pleased  at  heart  was  he 

to  hear. 

But  when  the  sun  was  set  and  upon  them  came  the  dark, 
They  then  beside  their  ship's  stern-hawsers  couched.    And 

when 

First-born  of  Morning,  rosy-fingered  Dawn  appeared, 
They  at  once  made  ready  to  sail  to  the  Achaeans'  spacious 

camp; 
And  Far-smiter  Apollo   sent  forth   to   them   a   favoring 

breeze. 
So  then  they  stepped  the  mast,  and  the  white  sails  spread ; 

and  the  wind 

Blew  into  the  bellying  sails,  and  all  about  the  prow 
The  foaming  billows  loudly  sang,  as  the  ship  bore  on 
And  sped  adown  the  surges,  winning  her  homeward  way. 
When  at  last  to  the  Achaeans'  spacious  camp  they  were 

come,  they  drew 

The  dark-hued  ship  to  land,  well  up  the  beach,  and  ranged 
Long  props  beneath;  and  then  dispersed  to  their  cabins 

and  ships. 
But  sitting  beside  his  swift-sailing  ships,  was  wrathful 

still 
The     heaven-descended     son     of     Peleus,     swift-footed 

Achilles ; 

And  neither  to  man-ennobling  council  went  he  at  all, 
Nor  at  all  to  battle;  but  wasted  his  heart  the  while  he 

kept 

Away,  and  sorely  longed  for  battle-cry  and  war. 
Now  when  thereafter  the  twelfth  day  morn  was  come  at 

last, 

And  so  the  gods  that  are  forever  had  all  returned 
To  Olympus  in  company — Zeus  their  leader.    Thetis  then 
Forgat  not  her  son's  demands,  but  rose  from  the  waves 

of  the  sea, 
And  went  in  the  morning  mists  to  Olympus  in  heaven 

vast. 

She  found  far-thundering  Cronides  sitting  quite  apart 
From  all,  on  the  highest  crest  of  many-peaked  Olympus. 

28 


Cfje  MJomen  of  t|je 


Straightway  before  him  she  seated  herself,  with  her  left 

arm  clasped 
His   knees,    and   then    with   her    right  hand   stroked   his 

beard;  at  length 

Entreating  the  son  of  Cronos,  sovereign  Zeus,  she  said: 
"O  Father  Zeus,  if  ever,  either  by  word  or  deed, 
I  brought  thee  assistance  verily  amid  the  deathless  ones, 
Do  thou  fulfill  for  me  this  my  yearning  wish, 
That  thou  wilt  honor  my  son  that  hath  now  come  to  be 
Far    shorter-lived    than    others;     for    master    of    men, 

Agamemnon, 
Hath   done  him  dishonor,   wresting  away  his  prize   for 

himself. 

But  give  him  recompense,  Olympian,  all-wise  Zeus; 
Meanwhile  confer  upon  the  Trojans  victorious  strength, 
Until  the  Achaeans  honor  my  son  and  add  amends." 
So  spake   she;   never   a  word,   though,  answered   cloud- 
gatherer  Zeus, 
But  sat  long  silent;  and  Thetis,  as  she  was  clasping  his 

knees, 
So  clung  to  them  close,  and  asked  him  then  the  second 

time: 

"Yea,  give  me  now  the  unfailing  word  and  bow  assent; 
Or  else  refuse — here's  naught  to  fear;  that  I  may  know 
How  greatly  disesteemed  a  god  am  I  of  all." 
Then  much  perturbed  cloud-gatherer  Zeus  spake  out  to 

her: 
"  'Tis    a  mischievous  matter  truly,  if  thou  shalt  set  me  at 

odds 
With  Hera,  that  so  she  may  provoke  me  with  taunting 

words. 

For  even  now  she's  ever  railing  at  me  among 
The  deathless  gods  and  saying  I  give  the  Trojans  aid 
In  battle,  but  do  thou  go  at  once,  lest  Hera  observe; 
And  I  will  think  these  matters  over  to  bring  them  about. 
But  see,  now  will  I  bow  the  head,  that  thou  mayest  trust ; 
For  this  from  me  among  the  Deathless  Ones  is  pledge 
Secure;  for  word  of  mine  may  not  deceive,  nor  be 
Revoked,  nor  unfulfilled,  to  which  I  bow  the  head." 

29 


Clje  ftOomen  of  t&e 


So  Cronion  spake,  and  thereto  bowed  his  sombre  brows; 
Forthwith  the  fragrant  locks  flowed  waving  down  from 

the  king's 

Immortal  head,  and  therewith  shook  Olympus  vast. 
The  two  so  counselled  together  and  parted ;  and  she  forth- 
with 
To  the  deep  sea  leapt  from  gleaming  Olympus,  and  Zeus 

then  fared 
To  his  palace.     There  all  the  gods  together  arose  from 

their  seats 
In  their  father's  presence;  none  dared  await  his  coming, 

but  each 

Before  him  stood.     So  he  seated  himself  upon  his  throne. 
Not  unaware  was  Hera,  because  with  him  she'd  seen 
The  silver-footed  Thetis,  daughter  of  the  Old-one  of  the 

sea, 
Contriving  covert  plans.     Straightway  with  sharp-cutting 

words 

To  Cronion-Zeus  she  spake ;  "What  one  of  the  gods  again, 
Intriguer,  hath  been  with  thee  contriving  covert  plans? 
'T  is  always  thy  pleasure  to  keep  thyself  apart  from  me, 
Deciding  judgments  in  secret,  never  hast  thou  yet 
Had  courage  to  tell  me  freely  what  scheme  thou  hast 

devised." 

In  answer  to  her  then  spake  the  father  of  men  and  gods: 
"Thou  must  not,  Hera,  hope  to  know  my  purposes  all : 
They  are  too  hard  for  thee,  although  thou  are  my  wife. 
Yet  whatsoever,  is  meet  and  right  for  thee  to  hear, 
Then  none  shall  know  it  sooner,  either  of  gods  or  men; 
Yet  when  apart  from  the  gods  I  would  deliberate, 
Of  these  things  must  thou  neither  question  nor  seek  to 

learn." 

In  answer  to  him  then  kine-eyed,  reverend  Hera  spake : 
"Most  fearful  Cronides,  what  saying  is  this  that  thou  hast 

made? 
Yea,  never  before  have  I  questioned  thee,  nor  sought  to 

learn ; 

But  unmolested  hast  thou  devised  whate'er  thou  wouldst: 
Yet  I  terribly  fear  in  my  heart  that  thou  has  been  misled 

30 


Cfje  domett  of  tfje 


By  silver-footed  Thetis,  daughter  of  the  Old-one  of  the 

sea. 
For  in  early  morning  she  sat  beside  thee  and  clasped  thy 

knees. 

I  mistrust  that  thou  to  her  hast  surely  bowed  assent 
To  honor  Achilles  and  slaughter  hosts  by  the  Achaean 

ships." 

In  answer  to  her  then  spake  again  cloud-gatherer  Zeus: 
"O  thou  possessed!  art  always  suspecting;  nowise  can  I 
Escape  thee;  yet  naught  shalt  thou  accomplish;  but  only 

be 

Still  further  from  my  heart — for  thee  a  harsher  state. 
If  this  be  as  thou  sayest,  'tis  so  by  mine  own  will, 
But  do  thou  sit  in  quietness  and  harken  to  what  I  say; 
Lest  all  the  gods  in  Olympus  help  thee  not,  if  I 
Come  nearer  and  lay  on  thee  mine  irresistible  hands." 
So  spake  he;  and  kine-eyed,  reverend  Hera  sat  still  in 

fear, 
Restraining  her  heart ;  and  the  heaven-dwelling  gods  were 

grieved 

In  the  palace  of  Zeus.    To  them  Hephaesus,  artificer  re- 
nowned, 

To  pleasure  his  mother,  white-armed  Hera,  began  dis- 
course : 
"'Twill  be  a  mischievous  matter  truly,  and  grievous  to 

be  borne, 
If  for  mortals'  sake  you  two  thus  quarrel  and  force  loud 

brawls 

Among  the  gods;  nor  will  there  be  enjoyment  any  more 
Of  the  stately  feast,  whenever  evil  counsels  prevail. 
So  I  would  win  my  mother,  though  quite  discreet  herself, 
To  pleasure  our  father  Zeus,  that  our  father  upbraid  us 

no  more, 
And  disturb  our  feasts.    If  the  Olympian  sender-of-light- 

ning  should  wish 
To  hurl  us  forth  from  our  seats ! — for  exceeding  strong 

is  he. 
But  address  him  with  gentle  words;  the  Olympian  then 

will  be 

3* 


Cfje  ftOomen  of  t&e  Siiao 


Propitious  to  us  forthwith."     So  spake  he,  and  arose  and 

placed 
The  two-handled  cup  in  his  mother's  hands,  and  said  to 

her: 
"Be  patient,  mother  mine,  and  bear  up,  though  greatly 

grieved ; 

That  thee,  who  art  so  dear,  I  see  not  beaten  before 
Mine  eyes ;  while  I,  in  sore  distress,  can  nowise  help. 
For  a  hard  one  is  the  Olympian  to  set  oneself  against. 
As  once  before,  when  thee  I  eagerly  strove  to  save, 
By  the  foot  he  caught  me  and  hurled  from  the  threshold 

wondrous-wrought. 

The  whole  day  long  I  fell,  until  at  set  of  sun 
I  dropped  in  Lemnos,  and  little  life  was  left  in  me. 
When  fallen,  the  Sintian  folk  forthwith  took  care  of  me." 
So  spake  he;  thereto  white-armed  Hera  smiled  on  him, 
And  smiling,  took  in  her   hand  the  cup  from  her  son. 

And  then 

To  all  the  other  gods  from  left  to  right  he  poured 
Unceasing,   and  served   sweet  nectar  from  the   mixing- 
bowl. 

And  inextinguishable  laughter  among  the  blessed  gods 
Arose  to  see  Hephaestus  bustling  about  the  hall. 
So  then  the  whole  day  long  until  the  sun  went  down 
They  portioned  to  all,  that  no   heart  lacked  its  proper 

share ; 
Nor  was  missing  there  the  splendrous  lyre  that  Apollo 

held, 
Nor  the  Muses'  choir  that  sang  responsive  with  beautiful 

voice. 
But  when  the  sun's  bright  light  went  down,  then  every 

one  fared 
To  his  home  to  rest.    For  each  the  famous,  strong-armed 

one, 
Hephaestus,  had  builded  a  house  with  inventive  mind  and 

skill. 
And  Zeus,  the  Olympian  sender-of-lightning,  went  to  his 

bed, 

32 


CI)e  SOomen  of  tfje 


Where  he  aforetime  was  wont  to  rest,  when  sweet  sleep 

came, 
There  went  to  repose ;  by  his  side  was  Hera  of  the  golden 

throne. 


HELEN  ON  THE  WALLS  OF  TROY. 

Thereafter  Iris  to  white-armed  Helen  as  messenger  came, 
In  likeness  of  husband's  sister,  wife  of  Antenor's  son, 
Her  whom  Antenor's  son,  Prince  Helicaon  had, 
Laodice,  of  Priam's  daughters  fairest  by  far. 
In  the  hall  she  found  her  weaving  an  ample  scarlet  web, 
A  double  mantle,  whereon  she'd  strewn  the  many  toils 
And  feats  of  horse-taming  Trojans  and  bronze-cuirassed 

Achaeans, 

That  they  had  borne  on  her  account  at  Ares'  hands. 
So  standing  beside,  swift- footed  Iris  spake  to  her: 
"Come,  sister  mine,  that  thou  may'st  see  the  wonderful 

deeds 

To    be    done    by    horse-taming    Trojans    and    bronze- 
cuirassed  Achaeans. 
Those  who  against  each  other  were  bringing  tear-fraught 

war 

Upon  the  plain,  all-eager  for  baneful  battle-strife, 
They  now  are  sitting  in  silence,  while  war  is  made  to 

cease ; 
And    they    lean    upon    their    shields,    their    long    spears 

planted  near. 

Alexander,  though,  and  Ares-beloved  Menelaus  intend 
A  battle  with  lances  on  thine  account,  and  thou  shalt  be 
Declared  own  wife  of  him  that  may  the  victor  prove." 
So  spake  the  goddess  and  put  sweet  longing  in  Helen's 

heart 

For  former  husband,  for  natal  city,  for  parents,  too. 
So  thereupon  with  lustrous  linen  she  veiled  her  face, 
And  hastened  then  from  her  chamber,  shedding  a  glisten- 
ing tear; 

33 


C6e  OSJomen  of  tfje  Sliad 


But  not  alone,  for  two  companions  companied  her, 
Kine-eyed    Clymene   and   bright   Aethra,   king   Pittheus' 

child. 

Quite  soon  thereafter  unto  the  Western  gates  they  came. 
But  Priam  and  his  suite,  Thymoetes,  Panthous,  Lampus 

the  shrewd, 

Hicetaon,  scion  of  Ares,  and  Clytius — Ucalegon,  too, 
With    Antenor,   sages   both — all   of    them   elders   of   the 

folk- 
Sat  above  the  Western  gates ;  because  of  age 
Exempt  from  war,  still  excellent  debaters — like  katydids, 
That   from  a   woodland  tree  send  forth   a  sweet,   clear 

voice. 
Such  were  these   chiefs   of   the   Trojans   seated   on  the 

tower. 

When  Helen  coming  toward  the  tower  was  seen  of  them, 
They  softly  uttered  one  to  another  winged  words : 
"No   blame   that  Trojans   and  comely-greaved  Achseans 

long  while 

Endure  to  suffer  griefs  for  such  a  woman's  sake — 
How    fearfully    like    the    undying    goddesses    is    she    in 

looks ! 

But  even  though  she  be  all  this,  let  her  go  in  their  ships, 
Nor  stay  to  ruin  us,  and  our  children  by  and  by." 
So  spake  they.     But  Priam  called  aloud  to  Helen   and 

said: 
"Come  hither,  my  child,  be  seated  by  me,  that  thou  may'st 

look 

Upon  thy  former  husband,  thy  kinsfolk  and  thy  friends. 
I  hold  not  thee  to  blame ;  I  hold  the  gods  to  blame ; 
'Tis  they  have  brought  this  tear-fraught  war  of  Achseans 

on  me. 

But  name  me  now  that  giant  man,  that  Achaean  there, 
Intrepid  and  massive.     Others  are  even  taller,  indeed, 
By  a  head,  but  never  before  mine  eyes  have  looked  upon 
So  comely,  so  stately  a  one — he  seemeth  a  king-like  man." 
Then  Helen,  fairest  of  women,  made  answer  to  him  and 

said: 

34 


C&e  OJomett  of  tfie  Sliad 


"Most  reverend  and  dread,  dear  father  of  my  lord,  art 

thou  to  me, 
But  would  that  evil  death  had  pleased  me,  ere  hither  I 

came 
With  thy  son,  forsaking  home,   and  kin,   and  youthful 

child, 
And  winsome  companions  of  equal  age.   In  such  wise, 

though, 
These   things   came   not   to   pass;    so   weeping   I   waste 

away. 

But  I  will  tell  thee  that  whereof  thou'st  questioned  me: 
:  This  surely  is  Atreus'  son,  wide-ruling  Agamemnon, 
Not  only  a  capable  king,  but  a  sturdy  spearman  withal. 
Was  husband's  brother  to  me — ah,  shameless,  that  this 

was  so." 

So  spake  she;  the  old  man  marvelling  much  at  him,  ex- 
claimed : 
"O  happy  Atreides,  whose  birth  and  life  both  Fate  and 

God 

Have  blessed !    Now  I  behold  how  many  Achaean  youths 
Are  subject  to  thee.     I  once  to  vineful  Phrygia  went, 
And  there  I  saw  a  very  multitude  of  Phrygian  men 
On  horses  in  glittering  harness,  Otreus'  and  Mygdon's 

folk, 
The  godlike  kings.     Along  the  banks  of  Sangarius  were 

they  camped; 

For  I  was  also  numbered  an  ally  among  them  that  day 
Whereon  the  Amazons  came,  a  match  for  men;  yet  not 
So  many  were  they  as  are  the  bright-eyed  Achaeans 

here." 

A  second  time  the  old  man,  seeing  Ulysses,  asked : 
"Come,  tell  me  now,  my  daughter,  of  this  one,  who  is  he? 
Less  by  a  head,  indeed,  than  Atreus'  son,  Agamemnon, 
But  broader   he   seemeth   in   shoulders   and   chest.      His 

armor  is  laid 

Upon  the  all-nurturing  ground,  but  he  himself  like  a  ram 
Inspecteth  the  ranks  of  the  men;  so  him  to  a  ram  thick- 
fleeced, 

35 


Cfte  KHomen  of  tfce 


I  liken,  that  keepeth  in  order  a  numerous  flock  of  white 

sheep." 
In   answer  to  him   forthwith   spake  Helen,  daughter  of 

Zeus: 

"And  this  one,  now,  is  deviceful  Ulysses,  Lsertes'  son, 
That  was  bred  in  the  land  of  Ithaca,  a  country  of  rug- 

gedness  extreme, 
Expert  in   all   manner  of  wiles  and  counsels  shrewdly 

planned." 

To  her  at  once  discreet  Antenor  spake  in  reply: 
"O   madam,   this   word   that   thou   hast   spoken   is   very 

truth ; 

For  brilliant  Ulysses  once  before  made  embassy  here, 
On  thine  account,  along  with  Ares-beloved  Menelaus: 
I  made  them  my  guests  and  welcomed  them  freely  within 

my  halls, 
And   I    learned    the    looks    of   both    and   their    counsels 

shrewdly  planned. 
Whenever,    then,    among    the    assembled    Trojans    they 

came, 
If  they  were  standing,  Menelaus  with  shoulders  broad 

overtopped 

Them  all;  both  sitting,  Ulysses  was  the  statelier  one. 
But  when  discourse  and  counsels  they  wove  in  the  pres- 
ence of  all, 
Menelaus,     surely,     spake     with     ready    utterance — few 

words 
Yet  very   clear — for  he  neither  prosed  nor  missed  the 

point, 
Though  the  lesser  in  years.  When  now  deviceful  Ulysses 

arose, 

He  stood  and  gazed  upon  the  ground  with  downcast  eyes, 
Nor  waved  his  staff  or  backward  or  forward,  but  held  it 

stiff, 
Like  a  man  unskilled — him  surly  and  senseless  one  would 

deem. 

But  when  his  mighty  voice  from  out  his  chest  he  sent, 
And  his  words  like  winter  snowflakes,  then  with  Ulysses 

none 

36 


C6e  COomen  of  t&e  3JIiaD 


Could   further   contend,   and  we   marvelled   no   more   at 

Ulysses'  mien." 

A  third  time,  then,  the  old  man,  seeing  Ajax,  said: 
"And  who  this  other  Achaean  man,  so  noble  and  stout, 
That    overtops    the    Argives    by    a    head    and    shoulders 

broad?" 
Then    flowing-robed    Helen,    most    brilliant    of    women, 

made  answer  to  him: 
"And  that  one  is  Ajax  the  huge,  to  Achaeans  a  bulwark 

staunch. 
Beyond  him  Idomeneus  stands  amid  his  Cretans,  like  a 

god, 

And  gathered  all  about  him  the  Cretan  chieftains  are. 

Him  oft  did  Ares-beloved  Menelaus  have  for  a  guest 

In  our  house  in  Argos,  whene'er  he  came  from  Crete. 

And  all  the  other  bright-eyed  Achaeans  now  I  see, 

And  I  might  readily  discern  them  also  and  tell  their 
names ; 

Yet  two  there  are  I  cannot  descry,  twain  chieftains  of 
the  folk, 

The  horse-taming  Castor,  and  the  sturdy  boxer  Poly- 
deuces, 

Own  brothers,  whom  with  me  the  self-same  mother  bore. 

From  lovely  Lacedaemon  came  they  not  along? 

Or  haply  have  they  hither  come  in  their  seagoing  ships, 

But  wish  not  now  to  thrust  themselves  in  the  press  of 
men, 

In  dread  of  the  many  scorns  and  jeers  that  of  right  are 
mine  ?" 

So  spake  she;  but  them  life-gendering  earth  already  held 

In  Lacedaemon  yonder,  their  own  dear  natal  land. 


37 


Cfje  ftSJomett  of  tfje  Sliaft 


THE  DUEL  OF  PARIS  AND  MENELAUS 

AND 
THE  RETURN  OF  HELEN  TO  PARIS. 

Thereafter  Hector,  Priam's  son,  and  princely  Ulysses 
First  measured  the  lists,  then  put  the  lots  in  a  brazen 

helm, 
And  shook  to  learn  which  one  should  cast  his  bronze 

spear  first. 
The  people  prayed  then,   lifting  up  their  hands  to  the 

gods. 

In  this  wise  many  a  one  of  Achaeans  and  Trojans  spake: 
"O  Father  Zeus,  that  rul'st  from  Ida,  noblest,  supreme! 
Whichever  one  hath  brought  upon  both  realms  these 

toils, 

Ordain  that  he  shall  die  and  go  to  Hades'  house; 
But  grant  that  friendships  come  for  us  and  trusty  oaths." 
So  spake  they;  then  mighty,  shimmering-crested  Hector, 

with  face 

Averted,  shook  the  helm,  and  quick  outleapt  the  lot 
Of  Paris.    Then  the  folk  were  seated  in  ranks,  every  one 
Beside  his  quick-stepping  horses,  where  his  well-wrought 

armor  lay; 

And  princely  Alexander,  lovely-haired  Helen's  lord, 
About  his  shoulders  handsome  armor  gan  put  on. 
But  first  of  all  he  placed  upon  his  shins  the  greaves 
So  comely,  secured  by  silvern  clasps,  then  on  his  breast 
He  donned  his  brother  Lycaon's  cuirass,  refitting  to  him- 
self, 

And  over  his  shoulders  he  cast  a  bronze  sword  silver- 
bossed, 
And  a  shield,  too,  vast  and  stout,  and  on  his  dauntless 

head 

He  placed  a  well-wrought  helm,  with  a  thick-set  horse- 
hair crest, 
That  nodded  consternation  from  its  downflowing  plume; 

38 


C!)e  ftOomen  of  t&e  Sliaa 


And  last  he  took  a  strong  spear  well-fitted  to  his  hand. 
In  such  wise,  too,  intrepid  Menelaus  put  armor  on. 
Now  when  on  either  side  they  both  were  fully  armed, 
To  the  space  between  Achaeans  and  Trojans  forth  they 

strode 

With  terrific  mien — amazement  seized  the  lookers-on 
Of    both    horse-taming    Trojans    and    bronze-cuirassed 

Achaeans. 

So  forthwith   standing  near  within  the  measured  space, 
The  one  at  the  other  brandished  his  spear  and  glared  his 

hate. 

First  Alexander  hurled  his  long-shafted  spear  and  struck 
Menelaus'    oval    shield,    the    spear,    though,    brake    not 

through ; 

For  its  point  was  backward  bent  within  the  sturdy  shield. 
Then   next   Atrides-Menelaus    raised   his    spear,   with    a 

prayer 

To  Father  Zeus :  "O  Sovereign  Zeus,  grant  vengeance  now 
To  me  on  him  that  hath  aforetime  done  me  wrong, 
On  princely  Alexander,  and  do  thou  slay  him  now  by  my 

hand; 

That  many  a  one  of  those  that  may  hereafter  come, 
Shall   shrink   to   wrong   a  host   that  hath  him  kindness 

done." 
So  said,  and  poised  the  long-shafted  spear,  then  hurled  and 

struck 
The  oval  shield  of  Priam's  son.     The  ponderous  spear 

urged  through 
The    gleaming    shield,    and    through    the    deftly-wrought 

cuirass 
It  pressed  right  on,  and  close  by  his  loins  the  spear-head 

rent 
His  tunic,  but  he  swerved  aside,  and  so  escaped  black 

Doom. 

Then  Atrides  drew  his  silver-studded  sword  and  raised 
Himself  and  smote  the  helmet-ridge,  but  on  it  the  sword 
Was  shivered  in  pieces — three,  yea,  four — and  fell  from 

his  hand. 
With  loud  lament  Atrides  looked  to  the  spacious  sky: 

39 


Cfje  momtn  of  t&e 


"O  Father  Zeus,  none  other  god  so  ruthless  as  thou ! 
I   thought    to    wreck    on   Alexander   vengeance    for    his 

crime ; 
But  now  my  sword  is  shattered  in  my  hands,  and  also  my 

spear 
Hath  ineffective  sped  from  my  grasp,  and  I  smote  him 

not." 

So  said,  and  rushed  on  Paris,  seized  him  by  his  horse- 
hair crest, 
And  whirled  him,  and  dragged  him  toward  the  comely- 

greaved  Achaeans. 
The    richly    broidered    thong    was    choking    his    tender 

throat — 

The  strap  tight-drawn  below  his  chin  to  hold  the  helm. 
And  likely  then  Atrides  had  dragged  him  off  and  won 
Ineffable  glory,  had  not  Aphrodite,  daughter  of  Zeus, 
Been  quick  to  see;  she  tore  asunder  the  ox-hide  thong, 
So  only  the  empty  helm  came  away  in  his  brawny  hand. 
The  warrior  cast  this  with  a  swing  to  the  comely-greaved 

Achaeans, 

And  his  trusty  liegemen  bore  it  off,  but  he  himself 
Rushed  back  again,  all  eager  to  slay  him  with  a  bronze- 
shod  spear. 

But  Aphrodite  caught  the  other  up,  as  a  god 
Most  easily   may,   and   carried  him   hidden  in   darkness 

dense, 

And  in  his  fragrant-scented  chamber  set  him  down; 
Then  went  herself  to  summon  Helen.    Her  she  found 
Upon  the  lofty  tower,  with  the  Trojan  women  in  throngs 
About  her.    The  perfumed  raiment  of  Helen  she  grasped 

and  shook, 
In  semblance  of  an  aged  grandam,  a  wool-yarn  spinner, 

that  wont 

To  prepare  for  her  at  home  in  Lacedemon  choice  wool, 
And  she  was  very  fond  of  her.  In  likeness,  then, 
Of  that  one,  brilliant  Aphrodite  spake  to  her: 
"Come  away,  Alexander  calleth  thee  home;  for  he,  in- 
deed, 
Is  in  his  chamber  now  upon  his  carven  couch, 

40 


OJomen  of  t&e  3IfaD 


Resplendent  in  beauty  and  vesture.     Thou  would'st  not 

deem  that  he 
Had  come  from  fighting  a  warrior,  but  rather  on  his  way 

to  the  dance, 
Or  else,  just  now  returned  from  the  dance,  hath  seated 

himself/' 

So  spake  she,  and  stirred  the  heart  of  Helen  within  her 

breast. 
As  soon,  though,  as  the  beauteous  neck  of  the  goddess  she 

espied, 
And  saw  the  entrancing  bosom,  too,  and  the  sparkling 

eyes; 
At  once  was  she  amazed,  and  spake  and  called  her  by 

name: 
"Dread  gooddess,  why  dost  thou  so  desire  to  beguile  me 

now? 

To  further  populous  cities  dost  wish  to  lead  me  on, 
Of  Phrygia  haply,  or  else  of  charming  Maeonia,  where, 

too, 
Thou    likely   hast   some    other   darling   of   speech-gifted 

men? 

Or  is  it  because  Menelaus  hath  even  now  subdued 
The  princely  Alexander,  that  thou  wilt  lead  me,  a  vile 

wretch,  home? 

Is  it  for  this,  then,  guileful  one,  that  thou  art  here? 
Go   thou   and   sit  by   his   side,   and  withdraw   from   the 

paths  of  the  gods ; 

Nor  toward  Olympus  turn  thy  footsteps  more,  but  sit 
Beside  him  always  grieving,  and  guard  him  well  until 
He  make  thee  his  wife,  or  else  his  slave-wife.  Thither, 

though, 

I  go  not — 'twere  disgrace — to  furnish  his  bed.     Hence- 
forth 
All  Trojan  women  would  shame  me;  and  my  heart  is 

brimmed  with  griefs." 

Incensed  then  brilliant  Aphrodite  spake  put  to  her  again : 
"Provoke  me  not,  foolhardy  one!  lest  I  in  wrath 
Discard  thee,  and  hate  thee  then,  as  now  I  utterly  love, 

41 


Cfie  OJomen  of  tfje  Sltao 


And  I  contrive  between  the  Trojans  and  Danaans  both 
Fell  hatreds,  and  so  thou  perish  surely  in  wretched  wise." 
So  said:  then  Helen,  child  of  Zeus,  was  afraid,  and  went 
Enwrapped  in  raiment  dazzling  white,  silent,  unmarked 
By  all  the  Trojan  women,  while  the  goddess  led  the  way. 


HECTOR'S  LAST  VISIT  TO  THE  CITY. 

When  Hector  now  had  reached  the  Western  gates  and 

the  oak, 

About  him  wives  and  daughters  of  the  Trojans  straight- 
way ran, 

Inquiring  after  husbands,  brothers,  sons  and  kin. 
He  thereupon  enjoined  on  all  to  pray  in  turn 
To  the  gods;  but  over  many,  funeral  sorrows  hung. 
When  now  he  came  to  Priam's  right  beautiful  palace,  built 
With  polished  portals — fifty  chambers  were  within 
Of  polished  stone,  well-wrought  and  close  together  set; 
And  the  sons  of  Priam  slept  here  beside  their  wedded 

wives — 

For  his  daughters,  too,  within  the  court,  but  over  against 
The  further  side,  were  twelve  roofed  chambers  of  pol- 
ished stone, 

Well- wrought  and  close  together  set;  and  the  sons-in-law 
Of  Priam  slept  herein  beside  their  stately  wives — 
To  meet  him  came  his  bountiful  mother  there  and  brought 
Laodice,  o'er  all  her  daughters  in  beauty  supreme. 
She  grasped  and  clung  to  his  hand;  and  spake  and  called 

him  by  name: 

"My  son,  now  why  hast  left  fierce  war  and  hither  come? 
'Tis  surely  because  the  hateful  sons  of  Achseans  press 
Thee  sore  in  battle  round  about  the  city,  that  thy  heart 
Hath  brought  thee  here  to  stretch  from  the  city's  heights 

thy  hands 

To  Zeus.     But  stay  awhile,  till  I  fetch  thee  honey-sweet 
wine, 

42 


CDe  Momtn  of  tfje  3$Iiati 


That  thou  may'st  pour  libation  first  to  Father  Zeus 
And  all  the  Undying  Ones;  shalt  then  refresh  thyself, 
If  thou  wilt  drink;   for  wine  increaseth  the  might  of  a 

man 
Toil-wearied,  as  surely  thou  art  wearied  fighting  for  thy 

kin." 

Then  mighty  shimmering-crested  Hector  answered  her: 
"O  reverend  mother,  bring  no  honey-hearted  wine, 
Lest  thou  unnerve  me,  that  I  forego  my  steadfastness. 
With  unwashed  hands,  too,  I  dread  to  pour  out  flame- 
bright  wine 

To  Zeus ;  for  not  at  all  should  one,  befouled  with  blood 
And  grime,  make  prayer  to  cloud-compeller,  Cronion, 
But  go  thou  forth  to  the  shrine  of  Athena,  bestower  of 

spoils, 

And  offer  sacrifice,  and  bring  together  the  aged  dames ; 
And  whatsoever  robe  of  thine  delightfullest 
And  amplest  within  the  palace,  the  very  dearest  to  thy- 
self, 

Take  this  and  lay  on  beautiful-haired  Athena's  knees, 
And  vow  at  her  shrine,  then,  twelve  sleek  kine  to  offer 

up, 

That  never  felt  the  goad,  if  but  compassion  she  have 
Upon  our  city  and  Trojan  wives  and  little  ones. 
Perhaps  from  sacred  Ilium  she'll  restrain  the  son 
Of  Tydeus,  savage   spearman   and  mightly  contriver   of 

rout. 
So  go  thou,  then,  to  the  shrine  of  Athena,  bestower  of 

spoils, 

But  I  will  go  seek  Paris  to  summon  him,  if  so 
He'll  heed  me — would  the  earth  might  yawn  for  him  at 

once. 

Him  surely  the  Olympian  reared  to  be  a  monstrous  bane 
To  Trojans,  to  generous-hearted  Priam,  to  Priam's  sons. 
If  I  but  saw  him  going  down  to  Hades'  house, 
Meseems  my  heart  might  then  forget  her  grievous  woe." 
So  spake  he.  Into  the  great-hall  Hecuba  went  and  called 
Her  waiting- women ;  these  gathered  then  the  aged  dames 
Together  throughout  the  city.  She  herself  went  down 


Cfje  OJomen  of  tfje  Iliad 


To  her  vaulted  storeroom,  wherein  were  kept  her  broi- 

dered  robes 

Of  every  color,  work  of  Sidonian  women,  whom 
Had  godlike  Alexander  himself  from  Sidon  brought  away, 
When  he  was  voyaging  over  the  far-extending  sea — 
That  voyage  in  which  he   fetched  the  high-born  Helen 

home. 

Now  Hecuba  took  out  one  of  these  to  bear  as  a  gift 
To  Athena,  by  far  the  handsomest-wrought  and  amplest 

one, 

That  shone  like  a  star,  and  lay  the  nethermost  of  all, 
Then  went  she   forth,   and  there   hastened   after  her   a 

throng 

Of  aged  dames.     So  when  to  Athena's  shrine  they  came, 
On    the    city's    heights,    fair-cheeked    Theano    oped    the 

doors ; 

King  Cisses'  child  was  she,  horse-taming  Antenor's  wife ; 
And  priestess   now  to  Athena  had  the  Trojans   chosen 

her. 

The  robe  fair-cheeked  Theano  took  and  laid  upon 
The  knees  of  beautiful-haired  Athena,  then  lifting  up 
Her  voice  in  prayer,  besought  the  child  of  mighty  Zeus: 
"O  reverend  Athena,  city  protectress,  goddess  sublime, 
Yea,  shatter  now  Diomedes'  spear,  and  further  grant 
That  he  shall  fall  headlong  before  the  Western  gates; 
So  we  at  thy  shrine  then  twelve  sleek  kine  may  sacrifice, 
That  never  felt  the  goad,  if  only  compassion  thou  have 
Upon  our  city  and  Trojan  wives  and  little  ones." 
So  spake  she  praying — but  Palas  Athena  denied  their  suit. 
Thus  then  were  they  beseeching  the  child  of  mighty  Zeus, 
When  Hector  came  to  Alexander's  palace  fair, 
Which  he  had  built  himself  with  men  most  skilled   of 

those 
That  were  in  deep-loamed  Troas;  on  the  city's  heights 

these  made 
For  him  near  Priam  and  Hector,  a  chamber  and  hall  and 

court. 

Then  entered  Hector,  Zeus-beloved,  in  his  hand  he  held 
A  spear  eleven  cubits  long;  before  his  face 

44 


Ciie  ftOomen  of  tfie 


The  brazen  spear-point  gleamed,  encircled  with  a  golden 

ring. 
And  Paris  he  found  in  his  chamber  busied  with  splendrous 

arms, 

A  massive  shield  and  cuirass,  and  testing  his  curved  bow. 
While  Argive  Helen  there  amid  her  thrall-maids  sat 
And  assigned  her  waiting  women  far-famed  handiwork. 
On  seeing  Paris,  Hector  chid  him  with  words  of  scorn : 
"Perverse  one,  unseemly  'tis  to  nurse  this  grudge  in  thy 

heart; 

The  people  perish  around  the  city  and  towering  walls 
In  warfare ;  on  thy  account  is  battle-cry,  and  war 
Is  flaming  without  the  city;  thyself  would'st  surely  fight 
With  whomsoever  thou  sawest  shirk  abhorrent  war. 
But  up !  lest  soon  the  city  be  burned  with  scorching  fire." 
And  to  him  then  godlike  Alexander  made   answer  and 

said: 
"Since  thou  in  measure,  Hector,  dost  chide  me,  but  not 

beyond, 

So  therefore  will  I  speak ;  heed  thou  and  listen  unto  me ; 
'Twas  surely  not  for  grudge  against  the  Trojans  so  much, 
Nor  indignation,  that  I  sat  me  in  my  chamber,  but  I 

yearned 

To  yield  me  so  to  my  sorrow.    Even  now  my  wife 
Hath  been  persuading  with  gentle  words  and  urging  me 
To  battle;  and  I  myself  feel,  too,  'twere  better  so; 
For  victory   ofttimes   veereth    from   man    to   man.     But 

come, 

Wait  here,  though  only  till  I  put  my  armor  on; 
Or  go  thou  on;  I'll  follow  thee  and  overtake,  I  trust." 
So  spake   he;  but  shimmering-crested  Hector  answered 

naught. 

Then  Helen  with  gentle,  winning  words  accosted  him: 
"Ah,  brother  of  one  that  am  an  ill-doing,  horrid  dog, 
I  would  an  evil  whirlwind's  blast  had  swept  me  off 
To  a  mountain  peak,  the  very  day  that  I  was  born ; 
Or  else  to  a  swelling  wave  of  the  ever-surging  sea, 
And  the  wave  had  carried  me  away,  ere  deeds  like  these 

were  done. 

45 


OJomen  of  t&e 


But  since  the  gods  have  so  devised  these  ills,  I  would 
That  I  were  wife  to  a  worthier  man,  who  felt  disgrace 
And  the  many  shaming  censures  of  men ;  but  this  one  here 
Hath  neither  now  sound  heart,  nor  ever  will  he  have; 
And  so  I  think  that  he  will  harvest  the  fruit  thereof. 
But  come  within  and  rest  thee  here  upon  this  seat, 
My  brother,  since  chiefly  on  thy  heart  a  burden  lies 
Because  of  me,  a  dog,  and  for  the  infatuate  wrong 
Of  Alexander;  on  both  Zeus  layeth  an  evil  doom, 
That  we'll  be  made  a  song  for  men  of  after  times." 
Then  mighty  shimmering-crested  Hector  answered  her: 
"Of  thy  great  kindness,  Helen,  ask  me  not  to  sit — • 
Thou'll  not  prevail — my  heart  is  urgent  now  to  help 
The  Trojans,  that  greatly  long  for  me  while  I'm  away. 
But  do  thou  stir  up  that  one  there  to  haste  himself, 
That  he  may  overtake  me  still  within  the  town; 
As  I  myself  will  go  unto  my  house  the  while, 
That  I  may  see  my  household,  dear  wife  and  infant  son; 
For  I  know  not  that  I  shall  ever  come  to  them  again, 
Or   whether   the   gods   shall   slay   me    soon   by  Achaean 

hands." 

So  saying  shimmering-crested  Hector  then  went  forth, 
And  soon  thereafter  came  to  his  well-appointed  house, 
But  did  not  find  white-armed  Andromache  within  the 

hall; 

For  she'd  gone  forth  with  the  child  and  a  comely-ves- 
tured maid, 

And  stood  now  wailing  and  weeping  upon  the  city  tower. 
But  Hector  finding  not  his  gentle  wife  within, 
Went  forth  and  standing  upon  the  threshold  to  the  thrall- 
maids  spake: 

"Lo  there,  thrall-maids,  now  tell  me  truly  whither  abroad 
Hath  white-armed  Andromache  gone  forth  from  the  hall  ? 

Hath  she  gone  out 
To    my   sisters,    or   unto    my   brothers'    comely-vestured 

wives ; 

Or  unto  Athena's  shrine  with  other  beatiful-haired 
Dardanian  women  to  reconcile  the  goddess  dread?" 
And  then  the  zealous  housedame  answered  him  and  said: 


Cfje  tOomen  of  tije  Sliaft 


"Since  thou  dost  strictly  charge  us,  Hector,  to  tell  the 

truth  ; 
Nor  to  sisters,   nor  to  brothers'  comely-vestured  wives 

hath  she  gone  away 

Or  unto  Athena's  shrine  with  other  beautiful-haired 
Dardanian  women,  to  reconcile  the  goddess  dread, 
But  went  to  Ilium's  lofty  tower,  because  she'd  heard 
That  the  Trojans  were  far- spent,  and  the  Achaean  power 

prevailed. 

So  hath  she  hastened  forth  to  go  to  the  city  walls, 
Like  unto  one  distraught,  and  the  nursemaid  beareth  the 

child." 
So  spake  the  house-dame.    Hector  went  then  forth  from 

the  house, 
And  hastened  down  on  the  well-built  streets  by  the  way 

he'd  come, 
And   crossing   the   spacious   city,    reached   the   Western 

gates, 

Through  which  he  meant  to  pass  out  upon  the  battle-plain. 
There,   running  to   meet   him,   came    his   richly-dowered 

wife, 

Andromache,  daughter  of  generous-hearted  Eetion, 
Eetion,  he  that  under  wooded  Places  dwelt, 
In  Thebe  in  the  plain  below,  and  ruled  Celician  men; 
His  daughter  was  wife  to  bronze-clad  Hector.     She  met 

him  there; 

The  nursemaid  followed  after  and  on  her  bosom  bore 
The  child,  a  tender  infant,  Hector's  darling  son 
Of  starlike  beauty.    Hector  named  him  Scamandrius, 
All  others  called  him  Astyanax,  the  city  king; 
For  Hector  was  Ilium's  sole  defence.    So  now  he  smiled 
And  silent  gazed  upon  the  boy;  by  his  side  the  while 
Andromache  weeping  stood  and  clasped  her  hand  in  his, 
And  calling  him  by  name  she  said:  "Misguided  one, 
Thy  hardihood  will  be  thy  wreck;  thou  pitiest  not 
Thine  infant  child,  nor  me  ill-starred,  that  now  shall  be 
Thy  widow;  for  soon  the  Achseans  all  shall  overwhelm 
And  slay  thee ;  'twere  better  then  that  I,  deprived  of  thee, 
Go  'neath  the  ground;  no  more  shall  any  cheer  be  mine, 

47 


Cf)e  mvmtn  of  tfje 


When  thou  hast  urged  thy  doom,  but  only  choking  grief — 

For  I  have  neither  father  nor  reverend  mother  now; 

Since  brilliant  Achilles  slew  our  father  and  wholly  de- 
stroyed 

The  Cilicians'  well-peopled  city,  lofty-gated  Thebe; 

He  slew  Eetion;  yet  him  did  not  despoil;  for  his  soul 

Was  awed  therefrom,  but  burned  him  with  his  well- 
wrought  arms, 

And  raised  a  tomb  above  him ;  and  planted  all  around 

Were  elms  by  mountain  nymphs,  daughters  of  aegis-bear- 
ing Zeus. 

And  there  were  seven  own  brothers  of  mine  within  the 
halls. 

And  these,  too,  all  on  that  day  went  to  Hades'  house; 

For  every  one  was  slain  by  brilliant,  swift-footed 
Achilles 

Amid  their  trailing-footed  kine  and  white-fleeced  sheep. 

My  mother,  that  under  wooded  Places  reigned  a  queen, 

He  hither  brought  along  with  all  the  other  spoil, 

But  after  freed  her,  taking  a  ransom  of  countless  wealth. 

Her,  though,  the  archeress  Artemis  slew  in  her  father's 
halls. 

But  Hector,  thou  art  father  and  reverend  mother  now 

And  kin  to  me,  thou,  my  husband  fresh  and  strong. 

But  have  compassion  now  and  stay  upon  this  tower, 

That  so  thou  orphan  not  thy  son,  nor  widow  thy  wife. 

But  station  thy  folk  beside  the  fig-tree,  since  easiest  there 

The  foe  may  clamber  up  and  scale  the  city  walls. 

Yea,  thrice  came  thither  their  bravest,  striving  to  enter 
in, 

The  men  of  the  two  Aiantes,  and  those  of  famed  Idomen- 
eus, 

And  those  of  Atreus'  sons,  and  those  of  strong  Tydides. 

Perhaps  some  skilled  soothsayer  revealed  this  thing  to 
them; 

Perhaps  their  own  heart,  though,  is  bidding  and  urging 
them  on/' 

Then  answering  her,  great  shimmering-crested  Hector 
spake : 

48 


Cfie  ftOomen  of  t&e 


"And  truly  all  these  things  are  a  care  for  me,  too,  wife; 
But  I  horribly  dread  the  shameful  scorn  of  Trojan  men 
And  of  long-robed  Trojan  women,  if  I  should  shrink 

from  war. 
My  soul  forbiddeth  me,  too,  for  I've  learned  to  be  ever 

brave, 
And  to  fight  in  the  Trojans'  foremost  battle-van,  thereby 

to  win 

My  father  glory  and  renown  and  likewise  unto  myself. 
Yet  this  I  know  full  well  deep  down  in  heart  and  soul, 
Shall  come  a  day  when  sacred  Ilium  shall  be  destroyed, 
And   Priam,   and  folk   of   Priam,   skilled   hurler   of   the 

ashen  spear, 

Yet  not  the  sufferings  of  Trojans  by  and  by,  disturb 
Me  so,  nor  those  of  Hecuba  even,  of  Priam  the  king, 
Of  brothers  many  and  noble  falling  prone  in  the  dust 
Before    their    foes,    as    doth    thine    own    the    day    some 

bronze- 

Cuirassed  Achaean  shall  lead  thee  forth  outpouring  tears, 
And  wrest  from  thee  the  sunlight  of  thy  freedom.  In 

Argos  then 

Thou  shalt  most  surely  ply  some  other  woman's  loom, 
Or  water  from  fount  Messeis  or  Hyperea  bring 
In  deep  despair  and  overborne  by  harsh  restraint. 
And  then  mayhap   shall   some  one   say,  on   seeing  thee 

weep: 

"This  one  was  wife  of  Hector,  the  valiantest  in  fight 
Of  horse-taming  Trojans,  the  while  around  high  Ilium 

men  warred/' 

So  one  shall  say  and  stir  thy  grief  afresh  for  lack 
Of  such  an  husband  to  ward  the  day  of  thralldom  off. 
But  me  let  heaped-up  earth  conceal  in  death,  that  I 
May  never  hear  thy  cries,  nor  see  thee  haled  away." 
So  saying,  glorious  Hector  held  out  his  arms  to  his  child, 
But  the  child  shrank  back  to  the  comely-girdled  nurse's 

breast 
With  loud  outcry,  dazed  and  frightened  by  his  father's 

look, 

49 


Ci)e  ftSiomen  of  tfje  Uliati 


In  terror  of  the  brazen  gleam,  and  the  horsehair  crest  he 

saw 
So  threatful  nod  from  the  helmet-peak.    Then  his  father 

laughed 
And  his  reverend  mother  smiled.     But  glorious  Hector 

then 

Took  off  and  put  the  gleaming  helm  upon  the  ground; 
Then  kissed  his  darling  child  and  tossed  him  up  in  his 

arms, 

And  spake  in  prayer  to  Zeus  and  to  all  the  other  gods: 
"O  Zeus  and  all  ye  gods,  grant  now  this  son  of  mine 
May  be,  as  I,  among  the  Trojans  pre-eminently  first, 
Majestic  in  strength,  and  be  of  Ilium  a  mighty  king; 
That  men  may  say:  Tar  greater  than  his  father  hath  he 

come  to  be', 
As  he   from  battle  returneth  bearing  the  blood-stained 

spoil 
Of  the  foe  he  hath  slain;  that  so  the  heart  of  his  mother 

rejoice." 

So  saying,  into  the  dear  mother's  arms  he  put  his  child; 
She  took  it  then  to  her  fragrant  bosom,  smiling  through 

tears. 
And  the  husband  saw  and  pitied  her  then,  thereupon  with 

his  hands 
Caressed  her,  and  spake  a  further  word  and  called  her  by 

name: 

"My  dear  one,  prithee  be  not  too  much  grieved  at  heart; 
Since  me  shall  no  man  hurl  untimely  to  Hades'  house ; 
His  destiny,  though,  I  deem  hath  no  one  ever  escaped, 
Nor   coward  man  nor  brave,  when  once  he  hath  been 

born. 
But  go  thou  home,  be  busied  there  with  thy  household 

work, 
The  distaff  and  the  loom,  and  set  thy  maids  their  task; 

but  war 

Is  a  care  for  men,  and  of  Ilium's  men  is  mainly  mine." 
So  glorious  Hector  spake,  and  his  horsehair-crested  helm 
Took  up;   and  his  dear  wife  homeward  went,  but  oft 

looked  back, 

50 


Cfte  Cfllomen  of  tfje 


And  swollen  tears  let  fall,  and  soon  thereafter  came 
To  man-slaying  Hector's  well-appointed  house  and  found 
Her  many  waiting  women  there,  and  stirred  them  all 
To  loud  lament.    For  Hector  still  alive  they  wailed 
In  his  house.   It  seemed  to  them  that  never  more  would  he 
Come  back  from  battle,  nor  escape  the  Achaeans'  furious 
hands. 


THE  FATHER  AND  MOTHER  OF  HECTOR   BE- 
SEECH   HIM    NOT   TO    STAY    WITHOUT 
THE    WALLS    TO    FIGHT   ALONE 
WITH   ACHILLES. 

So  saying  haughty  Achilles  turned  and  hasted  to  go 

To  the   city,  and  sped  like  a  prize-winning  horse  in  a 

chariot  race, 
That  lightly  and   eagerly  over  the   plain   doth   run  his 

course; 

With  such  great  speed  Achilles  plied  his  feet  and  knees. 
Now  him  the  aged  Priam  first  clearly  saw,  as  he  sped 
Across  the  plain,  all-gleaming,  like  the  star  that  cometh 

out 

At  harvest  time.    Among  the  many  stars  of  night 
Its  rays  shine  clear — the  star  men  name  Orion's  dog — 
Most  brilliant  of  all,  and  yet  for  an  evil  sign  is  it  there; 
Moreover  it  bringeth  much  fever  upon  unhappy  men. 
So  gleamed  the  bronze  upon  his  breast  as  on  he  sped. 
The  old  man  mourned  aloud  and  beat  his  head  with  his 

hands, 

And  raising  them  aloft,  he  wailed  in  shrill  lament, 
Beseeching  his  dear-loved  son,  that  stood  before  the  gates 
All  eager  to  fight  with  Achilles.    Then  with  piteous  voice 
The  old  man,  stretching  forth  his  hands,  called  out  and 

said: 
"I  pray  thee,  dear  Hector,  my  son,  do  not  await  this  man 

51 


Cftc  COomen  of  t&e 


Alone — not  one  beside  thee — lest  quickly  thou  meet  thy 

doom, 

Laid  low  by  Peleus'  son,  since  he  is  mightier  far, 
A  direful  man — oh,  that  the  gods  loved  him  as  I; 
Then  quick  his  unburied  body  would  dogs  and  vultures 

eat — 

So,  surely,  would  this  horrid  anguish  leave  my  heart — 
By  him  I've  been  bereaved  of  many  noble  sons, 
Some  slain  and  others  sold  to  islands  far  away. 
Yea,  now  again  two  sons,  Sycaon  and  Polydor, 
I  cannot  see  among  the  Trojans  crowding  in. 
The  sons  that  Laothoa,  queenliest  of  women,  bore  to  me. 
But  if  they  be  alive  within  the  Achaean  camp, 
We'll  ransom  them  with  bronze  and  gold  from  the  hoard 

within ; 
For  reverend  far-famed  Altes  left  much  wealth  to  his 

child. 
If   though   they   be  dead   and   already   gone   to   Hades' 

house, 
Then  grief  shall  be  mine  and  their  mother's — ours   that 

gave   them  birth. 
To  the  rest  of  the   folk,  however,  a  briefer  pain  shall 

there  be, 

If  only  thou,  too,  die  not,  slain  by  Achilles'  hand. 
But  come  within  the  wall,  my  son,  that  so  thou  save 
The  Trojan  men  and  Trojan  women,  nor  give  great  fame 
To  Peleus'  son,  and  be  of  thine  own  dear  life  bereaved. 
Have  pity,  too,  on  me  so  helpless,  that  still  am  alive, 
Forlorn,  whom  Father  Zeus  by  a  direful  doom  will  bring 
To  nought  on  the  threshold  of  age,  beholding  many  ills, 
His  sons  all  put  to  death  and  his  daughters  haled  away, 
And  his  chambers  ravaged,  and  his  infant  children  hurled 
To  the  ground  in  horrible  slaughter,  and  his  sons'  wives 

dragged  away 
By  the  baneful  hands  of  Achseans.    Me,  last  of  all,  shall 

dogs 
Of  ravine  drag  from  the  entrance-doors,  when  thrust  of 

spear 

52 


C6e  ftflJomen  of  t&e  3fliad 


Or  hurl  of  javelin  hath  driven  my  soul  away  from  my 

limbs, 

The  dogs  I've  reared  in  my  halls  and  at  my  table  fed, 
That  they  might  guard  my  doors — aye,  these  shall  drink 

my  blood, 

And  maddened  in  mind,  shall  couch  them  then  in  the  gate- 
way porch. 

It  becometh  a  young  man  wholly,  e'en  to  be  slain  in  war, 
By  the  sharp-edged  bronze  to  be  torn  and  to  lie  on  the 

battle-field ; 
For  all  things  are  seemly  to  him  thus  dead,  whatever  be 

seen; 
When,  though,  the  grey-haired  head,  and  the  grey-haired 

face,  and  all 
The  nakedness  is  bared  of  an  old  man  slain,  and  by  dogs 

defiled— 

Most  pitiful  this  of  all  that  is  sent  to  mortal  men." 
So  spake  the  old  man  and  grasped   and  tore   the   grey 

locks  from  his  head. 

But  Hector's  heart  he  did  not  move.    The  mother  then, 
With  weeping  and  wailing  besought  him,   and  drawing 

aside  her  robe, 
And   laying   her   bosom   bare,    she    spake    forth    winged 

words : 
"O  Hector,  my  child,  have  reverence  for  these  and  pity 

me; 
If  ever  I  gave  thee  my  soothing  breasts,  think  of  these, 

dear  son; 
From  within  the  walls  ward  off  the  foe,  and  stay  not 

there 

To  meet  this  merciless  one ;  if  he  shall  slay  thee  so, 
It  surely  will  not  be  upon  a  funeral  couch  that  I, 
Dear  child,  who  gave  thee  birth,  nor  thy  richly  dowered 

wife 

Shall  make  our  wail  for  thee;  but  far  away  from  us 
Shall  swift-footed  dogs  devour  thee  beside  the  Argive 

ships." 
So  wailing  they  spake  to  their  dear  loved  son,  beseeching 

him  sore; 

53 


Cfje  ftSJomen  of  tfje  3Uiad 


Yet  Hector's  heart  they  did  not  move,  but  waiting  he 

staid 
For  the  coming  of  huge  Achilles.  As  a  mountain  snake 

that  hath  fed 

On  noxious  poisons  awaiteth  a  man,  and  hideous  wrath 
Hath  entered  him,  and  frightful  he  glareth  as  he  coileth 

himself 

About  his  den.     So  Hector's  dauntless  heart  flinched  not, 
But  against  a  lofty  tower  he  leaned  his  shining  shield. 


THE  DEATH-LAMENT  OF  BRISEIS  FOR 
PATROCLUS. 

Now  when  Briseis,  golden  Aphrodite's  peer, 

Beheld    Patroclus    pierced    by    the    lance's    sharp-edged 

bronze, 

She  cast  herself  upon  him  prone  with  shrill  outcry, 
And  tore  her  breast  and  tender  throat  and  beautiful  face; 
And   then    amid   her    waitings   the    goddess-like   woman 

spake : 

"Patroclus,  gratefulest  thou  to  the  heart  of  wretched  me ! 
I  left  thee  here  in  the  cabin  alive,  when  forth  I  went, 
And  now  come  back  again,  Folk-leader,  I  find  thee  dead. 
So  always  doth  for  me  new  harm  to  harm  succeed. 
The  "husband  that  father  and  reverend  mother  gave  me  to, 
Him  pierced  before  the  city  by  the  lance's  sharp-edged 

bronze 

I  saw;  and  brothers  three  were  mine,  of  one  mother  born, 
These  near  and  dear  ones  all  urged  on  their  day  of  doom. 
But  thou,  again  and  again,  when  swift  Achilles  had  slain 
My  husband  and  ravaged  godlike  Myne's  city,  would'st 

strive 

That  I  might  cease  bewailing,  an  said'st  that  I  should  be 
Divine  Achilles'  lawful-wedded  wife;  should  go 
To  Phthia  in  the  ships,  and  marriage  feast  be  made  for 

me 

54 


Cfie  ftfilomen  of  tfte 


Among  the  Myrmidons.     So  therefore  do  I  mourn  thee 

dead 

With  all  my  heart;  for  thou  wast  always  kind." 
So  spake  she  moaning,  and  thereupon  the  women  wailed, 
In  seeming  for  Patroclus — each  one,  though,  for  her  own 

distress. 


LAMENTATION  OF  PRIAM,  HECUBA,  AND  AN- 
DROMACHE UPON  THE  DEATH  OF  HECTOR. 

Vile  usage  then  of  noble  Hector  Achilles  planned. 
He  pierced  the  tendons  of  either  foot  behind,  from  heel 
To   ankle   joint,   and   through   them   ox-hide   thongs   he 

thrust 

And  made  them  fast  to  the  car,  but  left  his  head  to  trail. 
Then  mounting  the  car  and  lifting  the  famous  armor  in, 
He  lashed  to  urge  the  horses  on — not  loath  they  flew. 
From  the  one  so  dragged  along  a  swift  dust-cloud  rose; 
His  ebon  hair  disheveled  flowed  waving  back;  his  head, 
Before  so  comely,  now  was  lying  all  in  the  dust. 
At  last  had  Zeus  abandoned  him  to  his  hateful  foes, 
To  work  dishonor  upon  him  in  his  own  dear  native  land. 
So  then  his  head  was  wholly  dust-begrimed.    When  now 
His  mother  saw,  she  tore  her  hair  and  cast  away 
Her  lustrous  veil,  and  wailed  exceeding  bitter  cries, 
While  pitiful  mourned  his  father,  and  the  folk   around 

were  seized 
With  wail  and  moan  throughout  the  city.     Most  like  it 

seemed 

That  Ilium's  beetling  heights  were  utterly  burning  down. 
Then  hardly  might  the  folk  restrain  the  frenzied  man 
So  set  on  going  forth  was  he  from  the  Dardanian  gates ; 
For  groveling  down  in  the  mire,  did  he  beseech  them  all, 
And  speak  to  each  one  there,  and  call  them  all  by  name: 
"Let  be,  good  friends,  although  ye  love  me  much,  oppose 
Me  not  in  going  forth  alone  to  the  Achaean  ships, 
To  supplicate  this  maddened,  horror- working  man; 

55 


Olomen  of  t&e 


If  haply  he  be  shamed  before  his  fellow-youths, 

And  pity  old  age ;  for  he,  too,  hath  a  father  such  as  I, 

Prince  Peleus,  who  begat  and  brought  him  up  to  be  a 

curse 

To  Trojans;  but  most  of  all  to  me  hath  he  brought  dis- 
tress, 
So  many  sons  of  mine  hath  he  slain  in  their  bourgeoning 

prime ; 

Yet  all  deplore  I  not  so  much — though  greatly  grieved — 
As  this  one,  sharp  sorrow  for  whom  shall  bring  me  to 

Hades'  house, 
Aye,  Hector.    Would  he  had  died  in  mine  arms,  for  then 

could  we 
Have    sated    ourselves    with    weeping    and   wailing,    his 

mother  ill-doomed, 
That   gave   him   birth,   and   I   myself/'     So    spake   and 

moaned; 

And  thereupon  the  townsmen  joined  their  wail  with  his. 
Then  Hecuba  'mong  the  Trojan  women  raised  a  shrill 
Lament :  "My  child,  why  longer  must  I  live  in  pain ! 
The  utmost  I've  endured,  thou  being  dead,  that  wast 
My  boast  throughout  the  city  night  and  day,  and  for  all, 
Both  Trojan  men  and  Trojan  women,  a  constant  guard; 
A  god  they  hailed  thee;  for  surely  in  life  wast  a  glory 

supreme. 

To  them : — but  now  have  Death  and  Fate  overtaken  thee." 
So  spake  she  moaning.  But  not  as  yet  had  Hector's  wife 
Heard  aught;  no  trusty  messenger  had  come  to  bring 

her  word 
That  still  without  the  gates  her  husband  stayed.     She, 

though, 

Was  busy  at  the  loom  within  a  recess  of  the  lofty  hall; 
Was   weaving   a  two-fold  purple   web  with   flowers   in- 
wrought. 
She  called  to  her  comely-tressed  attendants  throughout 

the  house, 

To  place  the  great  three-footed  caldron  close  by  the  fire, 
To  warm  the  bath  of  Hector  returned  from  the  battle- 
field. 

56 


Cfie  ftOomen  of  tfje 


Poor  child ;  she  did  not  know  how  very  far  from  baths 
Stern-eyed  Athena  had  laid  him  low  by  Achilles'  hands. 
At  last  from  the  city  battlements  wailing  and  mourning 

she  heard, 
And  her  limbs  'gan  swaying  and  reeling,  and  the  shuttle 

fell  to  the  ground. 
Again  among  her  comely-tressed  thrall-maids  she  spake 

and  said: 

"Come  two  of  you  with  me  that  I  may  learn  what  things 
Are  happening.     'Twas  my  husband's  venerable  mother's 

voice 
I  heard,  and  my  heart  leapt  up  to  my  mouth,  and  my 

knees  are  numbed 

Beneath  me;  some  evil  hap  hath  come  to  Priam's  sons. 
May  such  a  word  be  far  from  mine  ear !  but  I  fearfully 

dread 

Lest  brilliant  Achilles  may  now  have  cut  rash  Hector  off 
From  the  city,  and  forced  him  out  on  the  open  plain, 

alone, 

And  so  hath  put  an  end  to  the  stout-hearted  foolhardiness 
That  possessed  him ;  for  never  in  the  throng  of  men  was 

he  willing  to  stay, 
But  pressed  beyond;   that  daring  of  his  gave   place  to 

none." 
So  saying  she  hastened  from  the  great  hall  forth,  like  a 

woman  crazed, 
With  quivering  heart;  Her  heedful  attendants  companied 

her. 
But  when  she  reached  the  city  battlements  and  the  throng 

of  men, 
She  stood  on  the  wall  with  searching  gaze,  and  saw  him 

dragged 

Before  the  city;  ruthlessly  him  the  swift  horses  drew 
To  the  Achseans'  hollow  ships;  then  black  night  darkened 

down 
On  her  eyes,  and  backward  she  fell,  and  breathed  her  soul 

away. 
Far  off  from  her  head  were  cast  aside  her  glistening 

tire, 

57 


C8e  ffiOomen  of  tfje  Uliali 


Her  frontlet,  and  snood,  and  woven  band,  and  brilliant 

veil, 

Which  golden  Aphrodite  gave  to  her  upon  the  day 
That  shimmering-crested  Hector  led  her  forth  from  the 

house 
Of  her  father  Eetion ;  bride-gifts  unnumbered  he  gave  for 

her. 

Around  her  pressed  her  husband's  sisters  and  his  broth- 
ers' wives, 
And  they  held  her  up  among  them,  dazed  and  ready  to 

die. 
But  when  she  breathed  again,  and  her  spirit  returned  to 

her  breast, 
Then  wailing  and  sobbing  'mid   the   Trojan   women   at 

length  she  spake : 

"O  Hector,  O  wretched  me !  to  one  doom  then  we  both 
Were  born,  thou  in  Troy  in  Priam's  house,  and  I 
In  Thebe  under  wooded  Placos  in  Eetion's  house, 
Who  brought  me  up  from  babyhood — ill-fated  sire 
Of  cruel-fated  me,  whom  would  he'd  ne'er  begot! 
Thou  goest  now  to  Hades'  house  beneath  the  earth's 
Dim-hidden  caverns,  and  leavest  me  alone  in  horrid  grief 
A  widow  in  thy  halls,  the  child,  too,  still  so  young, 
Whom  we've  begotten,  thou  and  I,  ill-fated  twain. 
Thou,  Hector,  dead  shalt  be  no  help  to  him,  nor  he 
To  thee.     E'en  though  he  'scape  the  Achaeans'  grievous 

war, 

Yet  surely  trial  and  sorrow  shall  ever  hereafter  be  his; 
For  alien  men  shall  seize  his  cultivated  fields. 
The   day  of  orphanage  putteth  a  child  away   from   his 

mates, 
And  he's  all  bowed  down,  and  his  cheeks  are  ever  washed 

with  tears. 
'  In  want  the  child  then  goeth  to  his  father's  comrades,  and 

some 
He  plucketh  by  the  cloak  and  some  by  the  tunic,  until  of 

those 

That  pity  him,  some  one  ofTereth  then  a  cup  to  his  mouth 
A  little,  to  moisten  his  lips,  but  not  his  palate  at  all. 

58 


Cfjc  Olomen  of  t&e 


And  then  some  lad  that  hath  both   father  and  mother, 

shall  drive 
Him  forth  from  the  feast  with  blow  of  fist  and  taunting 

words : 

'Begone  now,  thy  father  is  not  at  all  a  guest  of  ours/ 
Then  to   his  widowed  mother  the   child  shall  return  in 

tears, 

Astyanax,  that  once  upon  his  father's  knees, 
Of  marrow  only  ate  and  the  very  fatness  of  sheep. 
When  sleep  laid  hold  on  him  and  he  ceased  his  childish 

play, 
Then  would  he  sweetly   slumber  in  bed,   in  his  nurse's 

arms 

So  softly  couched,  and  his  heart  with  good  things  satis- 
fied. 

Bereft  of  his  father  many  ills  shall  he  now  endure, 
Astyanax,  the  city  king,  for  the  Trojans  so 
Surnamed  thy  son,  seeing  that  thou  didst  defend  alone 
Its  gates  and  far-stretching  walls.    But  now  by  the  curve- 
beaked  ships, 
From  parents  far,  on  thee  the  shimmering  worms  shall 

feed, 
When  the  dogs  at  last  have  sated  themselves- — and  naked 

thou  art! 

Yet  lieth  there  now  within  thy  halls  thy  raiment  fair 
And  delicate,   wrought   by  women's   hands.   But  I   shall 

burn 

Them  surely  with  blazing  fire — no  longer  of  use  to  thee, 
Since  thou  wilt  never  lie  in  them ;  but  this  shall  show 
'Mong  Trojan  men  and  Trojan  women  honor  to  thee." 
So  spake  she  moaning,  and  thereunto  the  women  wailed. 


PRIAM  AND  HECUBA. 

Then  Priam  called  to  Hecuba  his  wife  and  said  to  her : 
"My  dear  one,  from  Zeus  an  Olympian  messenger  hath 
come  to  me, 

59 


ftOomen  of  tfje 


/That  I  shall  go  to  the  ships  of  Achseans  and  ransom  our 

son, 
And  take  to  Achilles  gifts,  the  which  may  gladden  his 

heart. 
But  come  now  tell  me,  how  seemeth  this  to  thee  in  thy 

mind? 

As  for  me,  at  least,  mine  eager  heart  is  urging  me  forth 
Out  yonder,  to  the  ships  within  the  Achaeans'  spacious 

camp." 
So  spake  he;  but  wailing  aloud  the  wife  replied  to  his 

words : 

"Ah,  woe  is  me,  now  whither  hath  thy  good  sense  gone, 
For  which  thou  wast  aforetime  famed  'mong  alien  folk 
And  those  o'er  whom  thou  rulest?  How  canst  thou  wish 

to  go 
Alone  to  the  ships  of  Achseans,  to  the  eyes  of  a  man  that 

hath  slain 

So  many  brave  sons  of  thine?  Thy  heart  is  surely  iron. 
For  should  he  catch  thee  there  and  gaze  on  thee  with  his 

eyes — 

This  savage,  perfidious  man — he  will  have  no  pity  at  all, 
And  nowise  reverence  thee.  But  now  let  us  weep  and 

wail 

For  our  son  far  off,  while  we  in  the  great  hall  sit;  for  so 
All-ruling  Fate  did  spin  her  thread  for  him  at  his  birth — 
The  time  I  bear  him,  yea  I — to  surfeit  swift-footed  dogs, 
Far  away  from  father  and  mother,  held  by  a  tyrannous 

man, 

Whose  very  liver  would  that  I  might  fasten  on 
And  devour;  then  venging  deeds  would  happen  him  to 

requite 
My  son,  whom  when  he  would  not  play  the  coward,  he 

slew. 

For  Trojan  men  and  low-girdled  Trojan  women  firm 
He  stood,  nor  did  he  think  at  all  of  shelter  or  of  flight." 
Then  aged  god-like  Priam  spake  in  answer  to  her: 
"Do  not  oppose  my  yearning  to  go,  nor  willingly  be 
A  bird  of  ill-omen  in  my  halls,  since  me  thou'lt  not  per- 
suade. 

60 


C6c  ft&omen  of  tfje  SliaO 


Had  it  been  some  other,  an  earth-born  one,  that  bade  me 

this— 

A  necromancer,  diviner,  or  sacrificing  priest — 
Then  might  we  deem  it  false  and  give  no  heed  thereto. 
But  now  since  I  have  heard  the  goddess  herself  and  seen, 
I  go,  and  her  word  shall  not  be  vain.    But  if  my  doom 
Shall   be   to   die   by   the    ships   of   the    bronze-cuirassed 

Achseans, 

I  wish  it  so;  let  Achilles  slay  me  then  forthwith, 
When  mine  arms  have  clasped  my  son,  and  my  surfeit 

of  mourning  I've  had." 

In  the  lofty  palace  Priam  and  the  herald  together  then 
Were  having  the  cars  made  ready,  with  crowded  thoughts 

in  their  minds. 

When  Hecuba,  grieved  at  heart,  came  forth  with  honey- 
sweet  wine 

In  a  golden  bowl,  to  make  libation  before  they  went. 
And  she  stood  before  the  horses,  and  spake  and  called 

him  by  name: 

"Take  this  and  make  libation  to  Father  Zeus  and  pray 
That  home  again  thou  may'st  return  from  ill-minded  men, 
As  thy  heart  is  urging  thee  forth  to  the  ships,  though  it 

liketh  me  not. 

So  pray  thou  then  to  cloud-compeller  Cronos'  son, 
Idaean  Zeus,  that  scanneth  all  the  Trojan  plain, 
And  ask  of  him  a  bird  of  omen,  the  messenger  swift, 
To  him  the  dearest  of  birds,  whose  strength  is  greatest  of 

all, 

To  show  on  thy  right,  so  that  thine  own  eyes  seeing  him, 
Thou  mayest  go   in  trust  to  the  swift-driving  Danaans' 

ships. 

If  wide-espying  Zeus  shall  deny  his  messenger  to  thee, 
I  surely  then  shall  never  thereafter  encourage  thee  more 
To  go  to  the  ships  of  the  Argives,  though  ever  so  urgent 

thou  be." 

And  then  in  answer  godlike  Priam  spake  to  her : 
"O  wife,  I'll  surely  not  gainsay  this  bidding  of  thine; 

61 


Cf)e  G3omen  of  tf)c 


Tis  good  to  stretch  the  hands  to  Zeus,  that  pitiful  he'll 

be." 

So  said,  and  then  required  his  stewardness  upon  his  hands 
To  pour  the  water ;   forthwith  the  attendant  came   and 

brought 
In   her   hands   a  pitcher   and  basin.     So   when   he   had 

washed,  he  took 
The  cup  from  his  wife,  and  standing  then  in  the  midst 

of  the  court, 
He  prayed,   and  poured  the   wine,   and  looking  toward 

heaven,  so  spake: 
"O  Father  Zeus,  that  rulest  from  Ida,  most  glorious  and 

great ! 

Vouchsafe  that  I  with  Achilles  welcome  and  pity  find, 
And  send  for  me  a  bird  of  omen,  the  messenger  swift, 
To  thee  the  dearest  of  birds,  whose  strength  is  greatest 

of  all, 
To  show  on  my  right,  so  that  mine  own  eyes  seeing  this 

sign, 

I  may  to  the  ships  of  the  swift-driving  Danaans  in  con- 
fidence go." 
So  spake  he  in  his  prayer,  and  all-wise  Zeus  harkened  to 

him, 

And  forthwith  sent  an  eagle  down,  of  winged  things 
The  perfectest,  the  noble  hunter,  black-eagle  named  of 

men. 

Wide  as  a  door,  well-wrought,  close-fitted,  of  the  high- 
roofed  house 
Of  a  wealthy  man — so  wide  were  his  wings  both  ways.  He 

was  seen 

Of  them  all,  across  the  city  speeding  upon  the  right. 
They   seeing  him  rejoiced,   and  the   hearts   of  all   were 

warmed. 

The  old  man  hastened  then  to  mount  his  polished  car, 
And  forth  he  drave  from  the  pillared  porch  and  echoing 

hall. 


Cf)e  ftOomen  of  tf)e 


THE  BURIAL  OF  HECTOR. 

When  saffron-vestured  Dawn  had  lighted  all  the  earth, 
They  drave  the  horses  cityward  with  wail  and  moan, 
The  while  the  mules  conveyed  the  dead.     Now,  none  at 

first, 

Nor  man  nor  comely-girdled  woman,  marked  them,  save 
Cassandra,  golden  Aphrodite's  peer.     She  clomb 
High  Pergamus,  and  thence  descriXed  her  father  standing 

up 
In  the  car,  and  the  City's  clear-voiced  herald  along  with 

him; 

At  last,  she  saw  the  one  that  lay  upon  the  bier 
Behind  the  mules.    Thereat  she  wailed,  and  shrilled  a  call 
Throughout  the  city:  "O  Trojan  men  and  women,  come 
And  look  on  Hector;  if  ever  while  he  lived  you  joyed 
To  welcome  him  returned  from  battle.    Joy  supreme 
Was  he,  in  sooth,  to  gentle  and  to  simple  folk." 
So  spake  she.    Then  within  the  city  no  man  stayed 
Nor  woman,  resistless  grief  had  come  to  every  one ; 
And  near  the  gates  they  met  with  him  that  brought  the 

dead. 

Beloved  wife  and  reverend  mother  first,  with  hair 
Dishevelled,  cast  themselves  upon  the  well-wheeled  wain, 
And   stroked   his   head;    about   them   stood    the   wailing 

throng. 

And  all  day  long  until  the  sun  went  down,  they  would, 
With  loud  lament,  have  wept  for  him  before  the  gates, 
Had  not  the  father  called  to  them  from  out  the  car 
''Give  place  to  me  and  let  the  mules  come  through,  and 

then, 

By  and  by,  your  fill  of  lamentation  you  shall  take, 
When  I  have  brought  him  home."     So  spake  he.   Parted 

they, 

Gave  place  and  let  the  wain  pass  on.     And  when  at  last 
They  reached  the  far-famed  house,  upon  a  carven  bed 
They  laid  him,  placing  minstrels  near  to  lead  the  dirge. 

63 


C&e  {ffiJomen  of  tfje 


These   raised   a   mournful   song,   the   while    the   women 

keened. 

Among  them   white-armed  Andromache  led   the  death- 
lament, 

While  holding  in  her  hands  man-slaying  Hector's  head: 
"Cut  off,  O  husband,  in  thy  youth,  hast  left  me  here 
A  widow  in  these  halls;  the  child,  too,  still  so  young, 
Whom  we  begot,  thou  and  I,  ill-fated  twain ! 
And  I  shall  never  see  him  come  to  youthful  prime; 
For  long  ere  that  this  city  shall  be  sacked  and  waste; 
Since  thou  art  dead  that  heldest  o'er  it  watch  and  ward, 
And  keptest  safe  its  worthy  wives  and  little  ones. 
Them  soon  the  hollow  ships  shall  take  and  bear  away, 
And  with  them  me.     And  thou,  too,  child,  perhaps  shalt 

go 

With  me  to  toil  by  cruel  master  vilely  tasked; 
Or  some  Achaean  shall  seize  thee  by  the  arm  and  hurl 
Thee  down  from  towering  battlements — a  piteous  death, 
Enraged  for  brother,  father,  son  by  Hector  slain; 
Since  countless  Achseans  at  Hector's  hands  have  bit  the 

ground ; 

For  not  at  all  was  thy  father  mild  in  hot,  fierce  fight. 
Throughout  the  city,  therefore,  all  the  folk  lament. 
Abhorrent  wail  and  sorrow,  Hector,  hast  thou  brought 
Thy  parents;  chiefly,  though,  with  me  abideth  pain 
And  grief.    Thou  dying  didst  not  stretch  thy  hand  to  me 
From  out  thy  bed,  nor  speak  to  me  some  freighted  word, 
Which  I  might  always  ponder,  showering  tears  through 

nights 
And  days."     So  spake  she  moaning;  thereto  the  women 

keened. 

Among  them  Hecuba  then  took  up  the  death-lament 
"Of  all  my  children,  Hector,  dearest  thou  to  my  heart! 
To  the  gods,  too,  while  thou  livedst,  thou  was  truly  dear, 
And  in  thy  fateful  death  still  they  cared  for  thee. 
For  other  sons  of  mine  Achilles,  swift  of  foot, 
Hath  seized  and  sold  beyond  the  never-resting  sea, 
To  Samos  and  Imbros  and  murky  Lemnos,  barbarous  isle. 
But  when  with  keen-edged  sword  he  took  thy  life  away, 


Cfic  momtn  of  tfje 


He  dragged  thee  many  times  around  Patroclus'  tomb, 
His  comrade  slain  by  thee,  yet  could  not  bring  him  back. 
Now,  dewy-fresh  and  lifelike  liest  thou  in  the  halls, 
As  one  'gainst  whom  Apollo,  bearer  of  the  silvern  bow, 
Hath  but  despatched  his  painless  shafts  and  therewith 

slain." 

So  spake  she  moaning,  and  woke  again  incessant  wail. 
Among  them  Helen  lastly  raised  the  death-lament: 
"Of  all  my  husband's  brothers,  Hector,  far  dearest  thou; 
For  godlike-beauteous  Alexander  is  most  surely  my  lord, 
That  brought  me  here  to  Troas,  I  would  that  I  had  died 
Before !     'Tis  twenty  years  agone  I  came  away, 
Abandoning  my  fatherland,  yet  never  heard   from  thee 

harsh  word 

Or  gibing  insolence.  If  others  in  the  halls  upbraided  me, 
My  husband's  brothers,  sisters,  brothers'  fair-robed  wives, 
Or  mother — the  father,  though,  was  ever  good  and  kind, 
As  if  mine  own — then  wouldst  thou  soothe  and  placate 

them 

With  gentle-heartedness  and  quiet  words.    For  this  do  I 
Bewail  with  aching  heart,  both  thee  and  me  forlorn ; 
Since  there  is  left  me  now  none  other  gentle  one  and 

kind 
In  spacious  Troas;  shuddering  all  shun  me."     So  spake 

she 

And  wailed  aloud;  and  thereto  moaned  the  multitude. 
But  the  aged  Priam  gave  command  among  the  folk 
"Go,  Trojans,  now  and  bring  to  the  city  wood,  nor  have 
In  heart  a  fear  of  Argive  ambuscades;  for  when 
Achilles  sent  me  forth  from  the  black  ships  home,  he  bade 
There  be  no  mischief  done  until  the  twelfth  morn  come." 
So  spake  he.    Quickly  yoked  they  oxen  then  and  mules 
To  wains,  and  soon  before  the  city  gathered  all. 
Nine  days  they  fetched  unmeasured  store  of  wood; 
But  when  the  tenth  morn,  bringing  light  to  mortals,  shone, 
Sore  weeping,  bare  they  dauntless  Hector  forth  and  laid 
Him  on  the  lofty  pyre,  and  put  they  fire  thereto. 
When  Morning's  first-born,  rosy-fingered  Dawn,  appeared, 
The  people  gathered  around  illustrious  Hector's  pyre. 

63 


Cfie  ffSJomen  of  tfie  Sliati 


They  quenched  at  first  the  smouldering  fire  with  ruddy 

wine; 

His  brothers  then  and  comrades  weeping  gathered  up 
The  shining  bones;  aye,  welling  tears  flowed  down  their 

cheeks. 

The  bones  they  took  and  softly  lapped  in  scarlet  cloths 
And  laid  them  in  a  golden  urn,  and  this  they  placed 
At  once  within  a  hollowed  grave,  and  overspread 
Great  close-packed  stones  and  quickly  raised  a  barrow, 

while 

Around  were  watchmen  set  to  guard  against  attack 
By  comely-greaved  Achaeans  before  the  time.     So  when 
The  barrow  had  been  raised,  they  wending  home  again, 
Were  gathered  in  the  halls  of  Priam,  Zeus-fostered  king, 
And  there  in  noble  banquet  feasted  they  right  well. 
In  such  wise,  then,  horse-taming  Hector's  funeral  was 

had. 


66 


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